Page:The Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina.djvu/18

13 towards the staying of their downward progress, or in any way conserve the remnant of this fast-disappearing people, whose utter annihilation at present seems so imminent.

CHAPTER II.

Unlike other savage races, these people have not any hereditary, or elected chiefs, or rulers of any kind, to whom they can appeal or rely on in times of difficulty or calamity, or who may lead them to battle. This latter, however, is not of much moment, as they are by far too cowardly to fight in an open, straightforward manner, foe to foe, in daylight. Amongst higher races cowardice is held in thorough contempt, but being innate in the character of these people, it may not be so reprehensible after all, consequently should rather be viewed as a peculiarity of race than otherwise, and so be deemed a physical imperfection only, which it doubtless is, else there would be exceptions, and to this rule there is not one even to prove it. The oldest man in a tribe is, to some small extent, looked up to beyond his fellows, but this quasi respect is only apportioned him because of his being able to recount incidents, legends, and thrilling adventures (of which he is invariably the hero) that are beyond the ken of the others, and more than probable only had birth in his own fertile imagination. He, however, carefully dates the period of their occurrence far