But to-night Merri-dia-o is resplendent in a warrior's full rig. A hole
bored through the cartilage of his nose peak displays the bone of an
eagle's wing, about four inches long, the insignia of his maturity and
dignity--his knighthood's spurs, so to speak.
Behold, then, athwart his nose, the polished bone, gleaming like ivory
against the ebony background! His grey hair is trussed up, forming a
big top-knot, and is adorned with the sulphur-hued crest of the white
cockatoo, also with turkey-tail feathers. Wound several times round his
somewhat corpulent body is a belt of human hair. This serves to hold
the boomerang and other short weapons. A dingo-tail skin, split up the
middle to the brush, and bound round the forehead with the brush erect
and plume-like, gives grace and height to the stature. But the body and
limb painting is the principal part. Each tribe has its devices.
Pigments are largely used. The greater the number of colours the more
fantastic is the effect.
When the boys strode up to the "dressing-room" where the tribe artiste
were engaged, they found that most of the men had completed their
adornments and were strutting about casting admiring or envious glances
at one another. Merri-dia-o, however, was still in the hands of the
dressers, and his markings were a triumph. Being a large-framed and
portly fellow, he showed the designs to the best advantage. The colour
scheme was brilliant, if nothing else. On his massive chest, which was
whitewashed for a background, were drawn an emu and a kangaroo. The
bird's plumage was bright blue, while the marsupial was as glaring as
red ochre could make it. These cartoons covered breast and belly, the
limbs being like animated barber's poles in red and white. On his back,
upon a white ground, was coiled an enormous carpet snake, with erect
head and protruding tongue. When seen in the corrobberie, armed with
spears, shield, and boomerangs, this fantastic figure was without peer
among the warrior-clowns, the whole effect being an extravaganza at once
whimsical and wild.
By the time these preparations were ended the great central fire was
blazing furiously, fed as it constantly was from a dry tinder stack.
The "orchestra," to the number of six, sat in a cluster behind the fire
and beat time to the primitive measures. The musicians for the most part
were old women, who were well-practised performers. Their instruments
were as primitive as the songs they accompanied, consisting generally of
a tightly folded opossum rug or a shield. These were operated upon by
the palms of the hands or by sticks; a vigorous slapping of the thighs
also gave variety to the combination. At any rate, a surprising din was
raised.
It has been stated that two tribes participated. The Ding-donglas were
the guests of the Bullarois, who had provided a grand supper of fat
grubs, native yams, and roast kangaroo for the festivities.
According to immemorial precedence the visiting tribe "took the flure"
first, and gave a most interesting and picturesque display. The subject
of the corrobberie was an emu hunt, and was full of startling incident,
presenting ludicrous aspects that created roars of laughter. The
descriptive song was chanted in perfect time: a sort of runic lay,
beginning in a low and monotonous key and gradually waxing louder as the
chase progressed, finally ending crescendo in a cry of victory, what
time the animal is overcome and slain.
The spectators, black and white, applauded most generously, our old
friends Jacky and Willy being among the loudest. The station boys were
in no ways different from their brothers in get up. For the moment they
had abandoned the role of station hands for that of barbaric
magnificoes.
The whites, especially the girls and Neville, who witnessed the
spectacle for the first time, were delighted beyond measure. The
silence following the huntsman's song was of short duration. The
story-teller of the visiting tribe now advanced within the circle of
light, and in sing-song tones recited one of their folklore stories.