510 SUPERSTITIONS AND TRADITIONS OF AUSTRALIA. 



his fire with his neighbors. The Bandicoot replied that the fire was 

 his alone, by right, and therefore it was his intention to maintain his 

 claim, and to keep it to himself. The two continued to wrangle, 

 when suddenly the Pigeon, seizing, as he thought, an unguarded mo- 

 ment, made a dash to obtain the prize. The Bandicoot quickly saw 

 that affairs had come to a crisis, and, in desperation, determined to set 

 matters at rest effectually ; he therefore threw the fire towards the 

 water, there to quench it for ever. But fortunately for the Black 

 man, the sharp eyed Hawk was hovering near the river, carefully 

 watching the whole transaction, and seeing the fire falling into the 

 water, he made a dart towards it, and with a stroke of bis wing, 

 knocked the brand far over the stream into the long dry grass of the 

 opposite bank, which immediately ignited and the flames spread over 

 the face of the country. The Black man then felt the fire and said it 

 was good. 



I shall conclude this sketch by mentioning a species of trial by 

 ordeal, — a singular and by no means impartial method of testing sus- 

 pected guilt. Occasions for its exercise are not rare. 



One of the tribe, for instance, is found dead ; having fallen by the 

 hands of violence, suspicion falls upon some member of the tribe and 

 he is called upon to prove his innocence ; he proceeds therefore 

 to kill a kangaroo. Having cooked a portiou of this, he gives it to 

 the nearest relative, or adopted brother of the murdered man to eat. 

 If this meat goes down the individual's throat smoothly and without 

 obstruction, and no ill effects follow, it is proof that the suspicion is 

 unfounded, and the accused is accordingly looked upon as guiltless. 

 But if on the contrary the meat stick in the throat of the judge, or 

 afterward cause pain or any disagreeable sensations in the stomach, 

 it is proof positive of the guilt of the party suspected, and he has to 

 answer for the deed. It may be seen at a glance that this is a one- 

 sided proceeding, as the result will, in many cases, to a considerble 

 extent, depend upon the feelings and good will of the party most in- 

 terested, the accuser : who, in giving his decision, can of course 

 please himself whether or not he allow the meat to stick in his throat 

 on its way down, or can as easily exhibit subsequent symptoms of 

 pain or convulsions, should such be necessary. 



I have thus endeavoured to give some idea of the Australian savage 

 in his wild state. Had I been of a more mature age when thrown 

 amongst the natives of Western Australia there is little doubt but 

 that much interesting information could have been added in illustra- 

 tion of the subject I have attempted to elucidate. Before concluding, 

 however, I may be permitted to answer the question frequently put 



