Page:The Present State and Prospects of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales.djvu/168

 Their shields have, I think, also been described by Mitchell. They are about five inches broad, and two feet six long. They are generally rudely carved, and painted with white and red ochre.



Towards the Goulburn river, the natives have an instrument, which I have never seen, but which, as well as the use to which it is put, has been described to me, by a person on whose accuracy I have the fullest dependence. It is a flat piece of wood with a strong leather thong running through two holes in it. This thong has a sharp pointed piece of wood of about six inches long attached. This instrument is used for private assassination. Whenever, according to their notions, (as I shall explain presently) a life is required, and a victim is not easily procured, one of the natives sets off, provided with an instrument of this kind. He presents himself at the encampment of some friendly tribe as a visitor, and remains for the night, during which he watches an opportunity of affecting his purpose of assassination. This he does by tightening the noose round the windpipe of his victim, so as to prevent