Shortly afterwards several men came up with great mystery and secrecy, and many looks behind them to see that they were not watched, and a greybeard amongst them presented me with a flat stick carved all over into rough patterns; this was carefully wrapped between two sheets of bark, and was evidently highly treasured, and given as a mark of respect or gratitude for curing the boy’s eyes.  They also gave me throwing sticks, balls of hair string, a shield and tomahawk; and received numerous costly presents from us—­one or two old shirts, strips of coloured handkerchief to make sporrans of, a knife or two, and so forth, and were perfectly satisfied.  A curious thing about the old Jew was that he had no name.  I questioned him most closely through Tiger—­but no! he had never had a name.  He was promptly christened “Jacob,” which he repeated over and over again, and seemed pleased with his new acquisition.  Godfrey soon had some of the tribe trained in the art of fishing, and this amused them immensely; the man to whom we gave the line and hooks, which we got in Hall’s Creek, will be much envied by his mates.  There were quantities of mussels in the creek, which the blacks devour greedily; we thought them most disgusting in taste.  Larger fish were reported in the big lake, but we did not trouble them.  The water of the big lake was far too salt for use, though the natives were camped near it and drink it.  It makes them sick, but they use it all the same, so we were told.  What happens to all the natives when the lake dries I cannot say; no doubt they scatter far and wide, and meet when the floods come down, for ceremonies, corroborees, and such-like amusements.

I collected a few words which I look upon as reliable.  Nothing would be easier than to make a whole dictionary, for the natives are always ready to talk, but I have only taken words which I got from one and tested with others with good results.

    English.  Aboriginal.

Gregory’s “Salt Sea.”    Burro. 
Fresh water.             Nappa or Yui. 
Salt water.              Murraba.*
Creek.                   Gilli. 
Fire.                    Warru or Wallu.**
Fish.                    Yagu. 
Mussel.                  Bimbirri. 
Pelican.                 Coya. 
Whistling duck.          Chibilu.***
Moon.                    Yungun. 
Star.                    Gigi. 
Southern Cross.          Wun-num.

* Hunt’s Slate Well, near Lake Lefroy, Coolgardie Goldfield, which is sometimes salt, is called by the natives Murrabi. ** Same as at Empress Spring and throughout desert. *** In imitation of the bird’s cry.

CHAPTER IV

DESERT ONCE MORE