COOKING AND FOOD. 23 



tribe, they dug a deep pit and covered it over with branches and grass. When 

 the trap was ready, they drove some kangaroos in its direction, and advised 

 Wirtpa Mit to follow them. He fell into the trap, and they covered over the top 

 of the pit, leaving only a small hole to give him air and sunshine. There they 

 kept him without food till he was nearly dead. He begged of them to make 

 the opening larger, and when they acceded to his request he made his escape, 

 but was so weak from starvation that they afterwards killed him and put him 

 into the hole and filled it up. To this day this place is named after him, and 

 the story is told to the yoimg people as a warning not to be ' selfish.' 



