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page 70
in the top right corner of the page is the number 12
it matters not so long as he no friends or has made himself generally objectionable on some previous occasion - is charged with the "murder" by some of the deceased's friends and relatives. Of course he naturally and indignantly denies the impeachment, argues that he had always been on amicable terms with his alleged victim, that they had often gone out hunting together and never had a quarrel etc, and ends by trying to shift the blame onto somebody else : his efforts in this direction may prove successful or not. At any rate, some one is fixed upon and this luckless individual recognising that it is a case of "needs must be " puts a bold front on it, and challenges his accusers one by one, whom he calls by name. two of his mother's brothers, or if they were not handy, two of his own brothers, standing at either side are allowed each to defend him, their weapon of defence however being only three wommeras, one a-piece. The first whom the alleged culprit challenges is usually the deceased's mother's brother, then the brothers, friends etc though in the excitement of the moment some two or three will rush up at the same time to a distance of only 10 or 12 yards away and let fly with their wommera - spears, simultaneously. He may thus run the gauntlet and not withstanding the immense mental strain, stand up for a solid hour altogether and with the assistance of his two mates succeed in escaping any serious effects from the 30 or 40 spears which may have been hurled at him. His bravery is at last rewarded, forgiveness is given him, his late enemies run up and cling round his neck and after a certain amount of weeping they all make friends again, ending by the fixing the guilt a second time, gradually upon the weakest tribe and its most friendless member.