Blacks of the Manning River District, New South Wales, 1851-1912 - Page 70

Flat and each came back with a small

green bush = formed up at the fire, went jumping

round three times asbefore, then laid three bushes

on the peices of bark round the fire and  

returned to the camp, There was a long spell

after this = then the Men who were painted with

the  Yellow  markings, came up to the fire, fully

armed with shields and spears, and ran round

the fire three times at a smart trot and went

away up the Flat, single file = They returned

in about 1/2 and hour+ full trot, follow my leader

and again ran round three times = They then

went over to the Woman's Camp and sent them

over to the fire, each carring her blanket or rug

and all the children were taken over to the

camp of the old men which was on the oposite  

side  of the Flat to the Woman's camp, The Women

laid themselves down round the fire, outside

the bark and bushes, the Men then covererd them

up and if any part of them was exposed they

got a prod with a spear = the men kept walking

round to see to that = The children were all

covered up by the Old Blacks with blankets

so that they could see nothing = and there was

perfect stillness, Then a loud "Cooee" was given

Then I heard a strange noise up the flat

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