Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/130

 himself was captured, and in turn destroyed at the hands of an English hangman.

The conditions of life after the inroads of white men were abnormal; but many natives were known who had passed the term of seventy years, and were then, though feeble for a forest life, hale enough to have enjoyed some years of shelter from its inclemencies. Their dwellings were but scanty huts improvised from pieces of bark or boughs, as each successive camp was selected in wandering over their hunting-grounds. They wore rugs made of opossum or other skins, neatly preserved and made pliable, and deftly sewn together with twine made from fur, or (occasionally) from the inner bark of trees. They made excellent fishing nets. The patience and skill displayed in the manufacture of weapons, when a stone hatchet was their only tool, were marvellous. The stone hatchet was discarded when the iron tomahawk was obtainable from Europeans, and spread from tribe to tribe by means of barter. In the same manner the old-fashioned tinder-box with flint and steel superseded the former custom of procuring fire by friction. The natives on the north, south, east, and west, and in the interior possessed the art of producing fire, but the substances used varied in the different localities. The combustible grass-tree (xanthorrhea) was commonly used. If materials were not at hand, or they were damp, it was difficult to obtain fire, and the natives were careful to carry it as they moved from camp to camp. This habit, and their slackness to exhibit the process of ignition, which involved vehement labour for a few minutes, has led some persons to believe that there were tribes ignorant of the process. It seems highly improbable that there were any such. The institution of heralds who moved with impunity from tribe to tribe over great tracts of country would of itself render such ignorance almost impossible. The twirling stick made to rotate between the palms of the hands was the only power used. A drill-bow, such as that used by the Iroquois of America, or by the Maoris in working jade, was never thought of by the Australians. By the method in use, if the operator relaxed his energy for one moment, all the previous exertion was rendered futile. When the fire appeared there was usually sweat on the brow.