37 
All natives have a wonderful power of mimiery. How true to 
nature the cries of birds can be imitated in the supposed healing 
of sickness has already been alluded to. Gestures are imitated 
with no less accuracy.* 
The arrival of our party of white men caused among the 
natives no little excitement and often fear. The great “ waipella ” 
(whitefellow) had been personally seen by several of the older 
members of the various tribes that bad come into contact with 
former exploring expeditions, the first of which dates back as far as 
the early seventies of last century (Gosse and Giles). Thosewho had 
not seen the white man before were, nevertheless, well acquainted 
by tradition with his feats. First and foremost, the deadly effect 
of firearms was generally known ; most of the natives encoun- 
tered would shudder at the sight of a rifle or revolver. In this 
respect considerable difficulty was at times experienced in getting 
natives to stand while they were being photographed. They 
apparently mistook the camera for a gun, and would endeavor 
to escape or crouch behind one another. Yet in the most 
remote districts natives were occasionally encountered who 
would not show any signs of discomfort at the sight of firearms. 
That they had seen or at least were familiar with the existence 
of the white man is evident from the fact that “ white-fellow 
tracks " are found among their crude cave-drawings. 
The historic beast of burden, the “ kamellie,” forms an object 
of admiration and respect It is the ambition of the native 
youth to have the privilege of a short ride upon the hump of a 
camel, although he is quite unaccustomed to that kind of loco- 
motion. 
An infant held in the arms of her mother became so terrified 
at the sight of a white man that violent hysterical crying 
ensued. The breast of the mother being of no comfort to the 
little one, the gin lifted the head of the child, pointed in a direc- 
tion in which camels were to be seen grazing, and uttered the 
words, * Kamellie, kamellie!" The sobbing of the piccaninny 
was at once converted into a broad smile. 
* In the Tomkinson Ranges a body of some two dozen natives approached 
the camp with their dingos. I was anxious to find out if the wild dog 
would pay heed to the generally adopted mode of attracting the canines. 
Upon applying the call I was somewhat startled to find the whole body of 
men imitating my actions to a nicety ! On another occasion all the 
members commenced clapping and blowing on their hands upon seeing one 
of us do it to remove the dust from his hands after carrying rock speci- 
mens. The serious demeanor maintained during these anties adds 
Strikingly to the effect upon an observer. 
t Plate IX., fig. 2, shows an instance of this kind. The face of a terrified 
native will be observed peeping from behind the old man immediately to 
the side of his left shoulder. 
ТІ subsequently learnt that a former exploring party had five camels 
Speared by natives in this region. 
