His hesitancy and
contradictions were at least amusingly ingenuous.
Exceptional opportunities were available in this neighbourhood recently
for the formation of an opinion upon the value of message-sticks for the
transmission of intelligence. The bushman who on horseback carried His
Majesty's mails inland among the settlers and to distant stations, was
frequently also entrusted with the delivery of message-sticks by blacks
along the route. Invariably the stick was accompanied by a verbal
communication--a request for some article (a pipe, a knife,
looking-glass, handkerchief) or an inquiry as to the whereabouts or
welfare of some relative or friend. The mailman quickly found that the
often elaborately graven stick was to no purpose whatever without the
verbal message. Frequently the sticks would become far more hopelessly
mixed up than the babes in PINAFORE; but as long as he recollected the
message aright, not the slightest concern or dissatisfaction was
manifested.
HOOKS OF PEARL
In this neighbourhood the making of pearl-shell fishhooks is one of the
lost arts. The old men may tell how they used to be made, but are not
able to afford any satisfactory practical demonstration.
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