X79 6 -! OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 3 .8 9 



fiftants had tufts of grafs in their hands, which they waved backwards 

 and forwards under the canoe, while it was lifting from the ground, 

 as if they were exorcifing fome evil fpirit. As foon as it was fixed on 

 the heads of the bearers, they fet off, preceded by Ben-nil-long and 

 another man, both walking with a quick ftep. Mau-go-ran, the father, 

 attended them, armed with his fpear and throwing-ftick, while Ben- 

 nil-long or his companion had only tufts of grafs, which, as they 

 went, they waved about, fometimes turning and facing the corpfe, at 

 others waving the tufts of grafs among the bufhes. When they 

 fronted the corpfe, the head of which was carried foremoft, the bear- 

 ers made a motion with their heads from fide to fide, as if endeavour- 

 ing to avoid the people who fronted them. After proceeding thus to 

 fome little diftance, Ben-nil-long's companion turned afide from the 

 path, and went up to a bum, into which he feemed to look very nar- 

 rowly, as if fearchmgfor fomething that he could not find, and waving 

 about the tufts of grafs which lie had in either hand. After this fruit- 

 lefs fearch, they all turned back, and went on in a fome what quicker 

 pace than before. On their drawing near the fpot where the women 

 and children were fitting with the other men, the father threw two 

 fpears towards, but (evidently intentionally) fhort of them. Here Ben- 

 nil-long took his infant child in his arms and held it up to the corpfe, 

 the bearers endeavouring to avoid it, as before defcrihed* Be-dia Be- 

 dia, the brother of the deceafed, a boy of five years of age, was then 

 called for, but came forward very reluctantly, and was prefented in 

 the fame manner as the other child. After this they proceeded to the 

 grave, which had been prepared in the Governor's garden. Twice 

 they changed the bearer who walked the fore mo ft ; but his friend 

 Collins carried him the whole of the way. Yel-lo-way levelled the 

 earth, and then ftrewed fome grafs in it ; after which he ftretched 

 himfelf at his length in the grave, firft on his back and then on his 

 right fide. Some drums had attended at the requeft of Ben-nil-long, 

 and two or three marches were beat while the grave was preparing ; 

 he highly approving, and pointing at the time, firft to the deceafed, 



and 



