198 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



surprise, supposing that they are surrounded and doomed to death, 

 they make the most furious onset, and sell their lives as dearly as 

 possible : this arises from the panic with which they are seized, 

 depriving them temporarily of reason. 



They have not, properly speaking, any distribution into tribes. In 

 their conflicts, those speaking the same language, and who have 

 fought side by side, are frequently drawn up in battle-array against 

 each other, and a short time after may be again seen acting together. 

 Their conflicts, for they do not deserve the name of wars, are con- 

 ducted after the following manner. The quarrel or misunderstanding 

 generally arises from some trivial affair ; when the aggrieved party 

 assembles his neighbours to consult them relative to the course to be 

 pursued. The general opinion having been declared, a messenger is 

 sent to announce their intention to commence hostilities to the oppo- 

 site party, and to fix a day for the combat. The latter immediately 

 assemble their friends, and make preparations for the approaching 

 contest. The two parties on the day assigned meet, accompanied 

 by the women and children. The first onset is made by the oldest 

 women (hags they might be termed) vituperating the opposite side. 

 Then a warrior advances, and several throws of spears take place. 

 These are parried with much dexterity, for all the natives possess 

 great art and skill in avoiding missiles with their shields. This 

 exchange of missiles continues for some time, and not unfrequently 

 ends without any fatal result. When one of either party is killed, a 

 separation takes place, succeeded by another course of recrimination, 

 after which explanations are made, the affair terminates, and hostility 

 is at an end ; the two parties meet amicably, bury the dead, and join 

 in the corrobory dance. 



These dances are not only the usual close of their combats, but 

 are frequent in time of peace. They appear almost necessary to stir 

 up their blood ; and under the excitement they produce, the whole 

 nature of the people seems to be changed. To a spectator, the effect 

 of one of these exhibitions almost equals that of a tragic melodrame. 



A suitable place for the performance is selected in the neighbour- 

 hood of their huts. Here a fire is built by the women and boys, 

 while such of the men as are to take a share in the exhibition, 

 usually about twenty in number, disappear to arrange their per- 

 sons. When these preparations are completed, and the fire burns 

 brightly, the performers are seen advancing in the guise of as many 

 skeletons. This effect is produced by means of pipe-clay, with 

 which they paint broad white lines on their arms and legs, and on 



