them with the tails of the Wallna Wallna (Lyre Bird), whose sharp spear brought down from the tallest tree the nimble Tuon for her furs, and from the densest scrub the shy Wonga Wonga for her food!"
This appeal to the savage caused an apparent struggle in his mind, and he seemed to waver awhile between sympathy for the pleader and the stern commands and duty he owed to his brother the chief. But, alas! the latter predominated. The terrible punishment and everlasting disgrace (should his loyalty to his tribe fail) determined his mind, and he answered—"It must not be. What would the Warrigals say if I were to assist you in your escape? They would say—'There goes the traitor Matoka, who betrayed his brother and tribe! He has opened the track for the white men to make thunder and spit fire upon us! Our wives will become widows; they shall wear clay on their hair, and our children will be orphans! Who will then hunt the kangaroo and emu? Our enemies shall hunt our game, which will make way for the white fellows big animals! The corroboree will be held no longer, and the cooey and war shout will be silenced by the white man's thunder, and the loud crack of his snake (stockwhip)!' When you are gone there will be no smiling face to cheer Matoka when he returns from hunting his game and fighting his enemies. Who then will say a kind word to him, or teach him how the white man does his wonderful work? Lindigo will then become the wife of the white man, who will take her to his gunyah, where she will forget all about Matoka."
"Brave and noble Matoka," replied Lindigo, "you are greatly mistaken; never will Lindigo forget her kind and generous Warrigal friend. If you help me you need no longer fear your tribe or their laws; the white man will be your friend, and that of your tribe, if you will but restore to them their long-lost Lindigo. They will give you their spitfire (gun), and teach you how to use it, when you will be able to chastise your enemies and kill your game. You will have no need to tire your limbs in your hunting, for a Yarraman (horse) shall carry you after it. Every one will then say—'There goes the
