7(p. 77). "When fell the chill that tells of day,
Darkling, the warriors took their way."
The sudden chill which precedes the dawn is well known to all who have spent night after night in the unhoused bush.
This expedition of the friends may appear Quixotic, but as a daring exploit in war I have known something similar.
I knew three active warriors who made an expedition into their enemy's country to wreak vengeance for the killing of one of their tribe.
The expedition lasted several weeks, and the three friends returned with trophies of the withered hands of three enemies.
8(p. 79). "And, ambushed, pierce the kangaroo."
No more expert sportsman than the Australian has been known. He could carry an ambush with him.
Watching intently his game, never moving a muscle while the creature looked towards him, carrying a bough so adroitly that it seemed a growing bush, he stealthily advanced while the animal's eyes were not turned towards him. When near enough he resorted to his spear, or when hunting on behalf of an European, his gun.
9(p. 87). "Vain invocation! rests with me alone
A dim remembrance of fair visions flown. . ."
This may appear exaggerated language for an exile in his teens who only accompanied his family to an English colony: and it seems now somewhat overstrained in the eyes of the writer; but it sprung from fervent feelings at the time, and as it is idle for old age to prune the exuberance of youth, the original words are in this case, as indeed throughout the legend, left untouched.
