52 THE ABORIGINES.OF THE LOWER MURRAY, LOWER 
casual observer would be inclined to think it an interminable 
affair, but this idea would only be of limited duration, for as the 
struggle advances the wind of one begins to fail more rapidly than 
that of the other; the end then soon becomes apparent, the 
winded one is raised from the ground for the last time ; he is not 
quick enough to grapple his wearied legs round his opponent, so. 
with a huge and final effort he is flung into the air, coming down 
with a thud of sufticient force to shake the very ground. 
The victor walks quietly to a little distance and squats himself 
down in silence; the spectators, however, are more demonstrative; 
the sleeping echoes, therefore, are roused with exultant shouts. 
After a fairish interval has elapsed the victor, nothing loth, 
until he disposes of all who are courageous enough to try con- 
clusions with him, or he himself is brought to grief by some one 
than they do the wrestling bouts, but, notwithstanding this, 
it results in very much fewer serious mishaps. The women 
Participate in. this game as well as the men. I have seen 28 
ed as 200 (including both sexes) engaged in this game at one 
ime. 
The ball is composed of old opossum skin tightly rolled up, 
When all is in order, a lyoor starts off with the ball in her hand; 
she walks a little way out from her own side and towards that of 
her opponents, drops the ball with seeming carelessness, but ere it 
as. tim h the ground she gives a dexterous and by 20 
means a gentle kick, which being correctly aimed sends the ball 
