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[Page 34] 34
- Our Blacks -
Speaking generally our blacks as we called
them were a kindly, good-tempered lot-full
of fun and keenly appreciative of a joke, rarely
quarrelling amongst themselves, very
gentle and kind to their children- I never saw
a child beaten or indeed punished in anyway.
(the children as a rule were not weaned before
the age of five or six years). They the blacks were fond of pets
and often kept tame possums, squirrels, native bears
or parrots - they valued their dogs greatly, as well
they might for they were very useful in assisting in
the capture of the smaller marsupials, and no doubt
they felt a certain amount of protection from them
as watchdogs at night, for the blacks were always
rather nervous fearing a sudden attack by some hostile
tribe -myalls they called them - any unusual
or mysterious noise at night was enough to
stampede the whole camp and send the
occupants scampering in all directions- They were
exceedingly fond of sweets and before the honey times
arrived they were delighted when given
a freshly emptied sugar mat-This they would soak
in water to make what they called 'bull' (merely
sweetened water) Around a vessel of this stuff, they would