20 THE ABORIGINES OF THE LOWER MURRAY, LOWER 
The articles of commerce which the aborigines exchange with 
each other consist of reeds for spears, red ochre and chalk for 
0 
are peddled backwards and forwards, even as far as the Tropic of 
Capricorn, each tribe gladly exchanging its local productions—of 
which it has abundance—for such commodities as are the produce 
of other tribal territories, and in which their own locality is 
altogether lacking. At first, this doubtless seems a very primitive 
kind of commerce, but really, it was ample for all the simple 
requirements of these savage tribes, ere the advent of the civilized 
@ gave to them tastes and wants which, until then, were 
altogether foreign to their nature. 
Tt will thus be seen that the Ngalla Wattow, or aboriginal 
postman, is about the most central figure in tribal life ; as a con- 
sequence thereof, he is respected and revered far above any other 
aboriginal character, 
Or CHIEFrrArnstip. 
Unlike other savage races, these people have not any hereditary 
or elected chiefs or rulers of any kind, to whom, in time of need, 
either as leader in war or arbiter in tribal difficulty, they can go. —. 
With regard to the former, however, it is of very little conse- 
quence, inasmuch as these people are by far too cowardly to fight 
in a straightforward manner and in daylight, where the services 
of a leader would be of the first consequence, 
be see 
exuding from their pores, so patent is it, if their audience be 
numerous and attentive, 
When there happens to be a dozen or two of one tribe camped 
“ogether, and food is abundant, after supper, when the stars are 
: 
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