266 THE ABORIGINES OF AUSTRALIA. 



flattering out like the tail of an angry cat ; in this beligerent state 

 she continues to move about, singing at the same time some sarcastic 

 and insulting words. Irritated and excited by such proceedings, 

 another now starts up with a bound, and in like manner commences 

 to strut, sing, and flourish her stick,— and thus working themselves 

 up to the required pitch of anger, they gradually approach each other 

 until within striking range, when the war of words being changed for 

 a more forcible one of sticks, the engagement becomes warm, and 

 broken heads and bloody faces are the result. 



Such is the Australian in life, let us now reverse the picture and 

 view him in death. 



In the midst of a tall forest, some four or five wigwams are clus- 

 tered together, the thread like wreaths of smoke ascending from the 

 small fires alone indicating the spot. In one of these huts lies the 

 emaciated form of a savage, the limbs drawn up to the smallest possi- 

 ble compass under the scanty cloak. Sitting around are the wives 

 and children of the dying man, watching in silence for death to take 

 possesion of his prize. Other women belonging to the camp are also 

 sitting about. One or two men alona remain ; these are perhaps sleep- 

 ing, or quietly sharpening their spears. All is silent, the hard breath- 

 ing and the convulsive sounds in the throat of the dying man are 

 alone audible, even these gradually cease and the soul has fled. 



As soon as the fact is known the wives and children and all those 

 gathered round the body set up a dreadful and startling cry. The 

 women in particular send up a most piteous lamentation, and tear their 

 heads and faces until they are frightfully smeared and disfigured with 

 blood. The male relatives of the deceased also scratch their noses, but 

 do not mutilate themselves to the same extent as the women. But no 

 time is lost in making preparations for the interment of the corpse. 

 On the spot where he drew his last breath is the grave sunk, a shallow 

 and circular hole scooped out, barely deep enough to keep the body 

 below the level of the earth ; into this the still warm corpse, wrapped 

 in its cloak, and with the knees bent up to the mouth, is placed, lying 

 on its side ; the earth is then thrown lightly and scantily over it; that 

 thrown over the corpse however, is not the earth which has been scoop- 

 ed out of the grave, for that is allowed to remain in a heap on one 

 side, but is cut away from the oposite side. The spear, wamera, and 

 other weapons lately used by the deceased, are now placed upon the 

 grave, and after making a small fire near the feet, the grave and camp 

 are deserted by all, and, far removed from the spot, a new encampment 

 is formed, from which the mournful wailings of the women may be 

 heard floating down on the wind night after night. 



