172 Mr. A. A. Leycester's Excursion 
having* shot plenty of game we had a good supper. The bag 
consisted of two Brush-turkeys, two Pademeleons {Halmaturus ), 
and five Pigeons. Out of these I selected two Wonga-wonga 
Pigeons (Leucosarcia picata) for my portion, and the remainder 
was appropriated to the men's night's feeding. Having watered 
and hobbled and bedded the horses, we set to work cooking our 
suppers. Polly's former fright did not appear to have reduced 
her appetite. She commenced supper on the remains of the 
Snake, which she had put by from dinner. This seemed to re¬ 
fresh her appetite and to prepare her for half a Pademeleon 
which she received from her husband. This was thrown to her 
over his shoulder, that being the natives' fashion of presenting 
their wives with anything choice. The natives never allow their 
wives to cook for them any meat or game, this being business 
of too great importance; and neither the women nor boys are 
allowed to touch the “Waukham" or Brush-turkey, there 
being some mystery attached to it. When supper was over, 
Davy suggested that all the guns should be loaded with ball 
cartridge, as he anticipated an attack on our camp during the 
night from the Tabbo blacks, and that a watch should be kept. 
Polly was set to keep the first watch till the moon rose, which 
would be about midnight; and Billy and Davy were to take the 
subsequent portion, that being the most likely time for a rush 
at us. Polly was ordered to sing a death-song all her watch, as 
a sure plan of keeping her awake, and as further being supposed 
to produce the effect of sending the soul of the dead black 
fellow to the right place, wherever that might be according to 
their belief. The monotonous tones of her voice and song soon 
sent me to sleep. Having received orders to wake me when 
the moon rose, she did so, as well as her husband and Billy. 
This was soon accomplished, as we all slept round one fire, not 
having erected my tent. When all were^aroused Davy proposed 
another supper (or rather breakfast), which I agreed to. They 
then finished off all the game (with the exception of one pigeon 
which I kept for my breakfast), and in addition two opossums 
which had been added to the stock since our arrival in camp, 
having been killed whilst sporting among the branches of a tree 
close by. Polly and I then went to sleep, whilst Davy and 
Billy sung, and refreshed themselves with game and tea till 
