222 
MEETINGS OF TRIBES. 
In advancing, the Nar-wij-jerooks again commenced 
the death wail, and one of the men, who had probably 
sustained the greatest loss since the tribes had last 
met, occasionally in alternations of anger and sorrow 
addressed his own people. When near the Moorunde 
tribe a few words were addressed to them, and they 
at once rose simultaneously, with a suppressed shout. 
The opposite party then raised their spears, and 
closing upon the line of the other tribe, speared 
about fifteen or sixteen of them in the left arm, a 
little below the shoulder. This is the generally 
understood order of revenge ; for the persons who 
were to receive the wounds, as soon as they saw the 
weapons of their assailants poised, at once put out the 
left foot, to steady themselves, and presented the left 
shoulder for the blow, frequently uttering the word 
“ Leipa” (spear), as the others appeared to hesitate. 
Whilst this was going on, the influential men of 
each tribe were violently talking to each other, and 
apparently accusing one another of being accessory 
to the death of some of their people. Disclaimers 
passed on each side, and the blame was imputed to 
other and more distant tribes. The manes of the 
dead having been appeased, the honour of each 
party was left unsullied, and the Nar-wij-jerooks 
retired about a hundred yards, and sat down, ready 
to enter upon the ceremonies of the day, which will 
be described in another place.* 
If the meeting of the tribes be for the purpose of 
* Chapter V. 
