Page:Dawson - Australian aborigines (1900).djvu/95

 for the work which he had before faithfully performed; and, therefore, deposited at the back door of the house a bundle containing his clothing, blankets, gun, and every other article that had been given to him for his long services. He gave up all his property rather than disobey the summons. Many months passed over ere he was heard of; and it was only after repeated invitations and assurances of welcome that he returned. He then explained, that, had he neglected the summons to attend the meeting, his life would have been forfeited.

When it had been agreed by the chiefs of the associated tribes to have a grand battue, messengers were sent all round to invite everybody to join. As each tribe left its own country, it spread out in line, and all united to form a circle of fifteen or twenty miles in diameter. By this means the kangaroos and emus were enclosed, in order to be driven to an appointed place — usually on Muston's Creek, a few miles from its junction with the River Hopkins. To this place the old people, women, and children of the several tribes had previously gone, and were there encamped. At a fixed time the circle was perfected by arranging the men so that they stood about two hundred yards apart. The circle then began to contract. As they drew near to the central camp both young and old joined them, and formed a line too compact to allow the escape of the game; which, frightened and confused with the yells and shouting all around, were killed with clubs and spears. In the evening a grand feast and korroboræ ended the day's sport. Next morning the game was fairly divided, and each tribe started homewards, with the usual 'wuwuurk, wuwuurk,' farewell, farewell.