He can tell to a quarter of an hour when the fish will leave
off biting; he hears the scamper of the iguana in the grass when the
"white fella" fails to catch a sound, and knows when the giant crabs
will be "walking about" in the mangroves. He is trustworthy and
obliging, and ready to impart all the lore he possesses, an expert
boomerang thrower, a dead shot with a nulla-nulla, and an eater of
everything that comes in his way except "pigee-pigee." Having long had
the pleasure of his acquaintance, I can cordially wish him a
never-failing supply of "patter" and tobacco, and surcease of "monda";
and what more can the heart of a blackfellow desire--save rum?
TOM: HIS WIVES--HIS BATTLES
Tom has been thrice married--at least he has possessed three wives. For
a few months he had two at a time, and placidly endured the
consequences.
Of the bride of his youth history has no word--for Tom is the only
historian of that period, and he ever bears sorrows in silence.
Nelly, whose country borders the beach of the mainland opposite, could
not speak his language when he fought for her fairly and honourably, and
won her from her first man. Though reared but a little over 2 miles
apart, these twain have totally different words for the same objects.
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