Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/118

 attend there to search for them at low water. This .mall fry I take to be the top of their fishery: they have no instruments to catch great fish, should they come; and such seldom stay to be left behind at low-water: nor could we catch any fish with our hooks and lines all the while we �lay there.. In other. places at low-water they seek for cockles, muscles, and periwlnides. Of these Shell-fmh them are fewer still; so that their chief dependance is upon what the sea. leaves in their wares; which, be it much or little, they gather up, and march to the places of their abode. There the. old people that are not able to stir abroad by reason of their. age, and the tender infants, wai.'t their return; and what Pro- videnoe has bestowed. on them, they presently broil on the coals, and eat it in common. Some- times they get as many fish. as makes them a plentiful banquet; and at other times they scarce get every one a taste; but be it little or much that they get, every one has his part, as well the young and tender,. the old and feeble, who are not abld to go abroad, as the strong and.lusty. When they have eaten they lie down till the next low-water, and then all that are' able march out, 'be it night or day, rain or shine, 'tis all ene; they must attend the wears, or else they must fast; for the earth affords them no food at �oL. H. H

�