46 THE RIVER DARLING 



are blind to that which they believe to be a necessary 

 breach of the laws. 



There are usually a few blacks hanging about the 

 stations and squatters' homesteads, known as the station or 

 friendly blacks. These live largely on the eleemosynary 

 gifts of the squatter's family and the station hands, for 

 when the blacks are well-behaved they are kindly treated 

 and often almost petted. Sometimes they condescend to 

 do a little fitful work ; and they are always useful to break 

 the monotony of station life with their corroborees and 

 other fantastic tricks. They are also extremely useful in 

 tracking lost cattle and horses, and may sometimes be 

 trusted to go errands to other stations, or to the nearest 

 store. Not infrequently they become much attached to 

 the whites, and some of them have rendered good service 

 to explorers and other wanderers in the deserts. But 

 they, one and all, have this failing — they cannot settle 

 down permanently to civilised life. Sometimes they will 

 work well for several consecutive months. Then the wild 

 spirit comes upon them, and they must take to the bush. 

 If not permitted to go, they run away. In this case, they 

 will probably not return. If their absence is not resented 

 by their employer, they generally, after a time, return and 

 do another spell of work. If permitted to play and work 

 alternately, they will serve one master for many years, and 

 kindness of treatment is almost sure to win their strong 

 attachment. 



About the station they are thankful for any trifle that 

 is thrown to them, and they share the garbage with the 

 dogs. They are always at hand when a sheep or bullock 

 is killed, and run off with the entrails ; and if they are 

 permitted to take the liver, heart, or head, they think they 

 have a lordly feast in store, and their supper is almost sure 

 to be followed by a corroboree. 



The hands give them their old clothes, and the squatter's 

 wife looks after the women ; and some preposterous rig-outs 

 are frequently seen, the blackfellow having no idea of 

 congruity in dressing himself in European garments. 

 Certain articles of dress are so highly esteemed that when 



