in particular of the Port Lincoln District. 199 



ments two or three times, and then returned to their own camp 

 in the same order they had observed upon lea^^ng it. That even- 

 ing and the greater part of the night were spent in singing and 

 dancing, but with sunrise of the next day the fight com- 

 menced. Eight men advanced from each side, making use of 

 mimical gestiu'es, although the most profound silence was 

 obser\'ed. They formed into a row, two deep, about twenty 

 paces from each other, so that they came to stand two to two. 

 Each Avarrior stretched his legs apart, and planted his feet 

 firmly on the ground, holding a spear and sling in the right 

 hand, and their katta, or grubbing- stick, together Avith other 

 spears, in the left. They pushed forward their chests, and 

 moved theu' bodies fi'om side to side, as a sort of challenge. 

 Each one fixed his eyes upon his especial antagonist, and 

 seemed to have no concern about any of the others, as if he 

 had nothing to fear at theii' hands. Not a sound Avas audible. 

 Many spears Avere thrown on either side, and Avere avoided 

 by moAing the upper part of the body to one side, or were 

 parried by giA'ing the spears a blow with the katta or other 

 spears held in the left hand. Thus the spears of the oppo- 

 nents failed to reach their mark. At length some of the 

 party Avho sent the challenge went over into the ranks of the 

 enemy, to show that they wished to put an end to the combat. 

 One quarrelsome old man, who had struck the first blow, did 

 not seem to be content to stay his arm without having 

 spilled a drop of blood. He stood opposed to a young man 

 of not more than twenty years of age, and he threw several 

 spears at him after the youth had ceased fighting. The old 

 rascal made use of the most insulting and proA'oking lan- 

 guage, and Avas paid back however in his OAvn coin. At 

 length some of the old man's friends interposed, and sought 

 to intimidate him, but finding they could not succeed in this, 

 they made a point of striking up his throwiug-stick as often 

 as he placed a spear on it, thus causing the Aveapon to fall 

 useless on the ground. 



The skilful manner in which the aborigines avoid or parry 

 the spears is truly astonishing. Mr. Schurmann, Avho Avas an 

 cye-Avitness of the last-mentioned aff'air, tells us that the old 

 man, Avho Avas rftnoAvned as a good marksman, took such good 

 aim that it seemed almost a certainty that he Avould hit his 

 adversary; nevertheless, each spear Avas met, and glided 

 off the young man's katta, and shot over his shoulder, 

 passing in close proximity to his ear. This can only be 

 accomplished by a sure eye and a firm glance, Avhicli 



