Page:The Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina.djvu/66

61 are a certain consequence. These spears are not propelled by means of a throwing stick, but are hurled from the hand javelinwise. The natives can make pretty sure of striking with these spears at a distance of twenty or twenty-five yards—that is to say, if the game be in motion. At stationary objects they are exceedingly inexpert; therefore, like true sportsmen, they invariably start the game before making a cast; however, the motive is not the same in both cases, as the natives are the most confirmed pothunters in existence, and merely set the game running to make more certain of their aim, whereas sportsmen do it so as to give the animals they are in pursuit of a certain amount of law, or, in other words, a chance for their lives.

The reed spear is the missile most generally used in their daily foragings; this spear can be thrown with great precision fifty or sixty yards; it is propelled by means of the throwing stick. They kill all the smaller game, such as wallaby, duck, geese, swans, pigeons, &c., with this weapon, and as the spear is remarkably fragile, and easily broken, they commonly carry a bundle of them on their diurnal excursions. This spear is seven feet long, five feet of its length being reed, and the other two feet wood, hardened by fire. These wooden points are fixed into the reed shafts by means of gum, which they procure from various trees, and prepare by baking for that purpose. The baking process which the gum undergoes renders it tough, doing away with much