The atmosphere of the inner chamber of the large cavern is at times so close and confined as to produce sickness and violent head-ache, and cause many to faint who visit it, but we experienced no inconvenience, for although a hot wind blew outside from the north-east in strong and oppressive gusts, the inside of the cavern was cool and agreeable. The length of the cavern may, at a guess, be one hundred and twenty yards, or even more; and the large entrance is about sixty yards distant from the Murrumbidgee river. The view, from the front of the cavern, of the exterior country was beautiful: swallows’ nests, as well as the restless birds themselves, were numerous; and the “Currijong-tree” was also seen growing about the limestone ranges. The swamp oaks, or “Plow’y,” of the aborigines grew here in abundance, indicating by their presence the course of the river.
The aborigines will not venture into the dark recesses of the cavern for fear of the “dibbil-dibbil,” as they express it. In a small cave attached to this cavern a number of human bones had recently been found, which it was afterwards ascertained were those of a native female, and had been deposited here, (in accordance with a custom among the aborigines of placing the bodies of deceased friends and relations in caverns, hollow trunks of trees, &c.) about twenty years before.
The black swans (Anas plutonia) were at certain spots numerous about the river; they lay several eggs of a light bluish tinge, but at this season the young birds were seen in the river, as also the young of the different species of wild ducks, teal, &c., which are numerous in the colony; although neither the young of the black swans or ducks can yet fly, still nature has provided them with a rapidity of motion in the water which baffles pursuers: this excites surprise in those who witness the manner these little half-fledged creatures swim and dive, so as effectually to avoid their numerous enemies. A tyro, thinking it an easy task to capture them, “as they cannot fly,” enters the river for the purpose of taking some of the ducklings, but returns exhausted after a fatiguing chase, without procuring one to reward his trouble, marvelling, as he directs his steps homeward, completely crest-fallen, how the little imps could have escaped.
CHAPTER XII.
Native dogs—Their tenacity of life—Return to Yas Plains—The Australian raspberry—Native cherry-tree—The summer season—Tree hoppers—Their clamour—Gannets—Country about the Tumat river—Bugolong—The Black range—A storm—Vicinity of rivers—Native blacks—Their costume and weapons—Wheat-fields—Destructive birds—Winding course of the Murrumbidgee.
Three dingos, or native dogs, (the “Warragul” of the aborigines, Canis Australasiæ, Dem.[86]) were seen about the hills at “Gudarigby,” and the howling of the kangaroo dogs during the night, was the first indication of their prowling about; they are the wolves of the colony, and are perhaps unequalled for cunning. These animals breed in the holes of rocks; a litter was found near Yas Plains, which the discoverer failed to destroy, thinking to return and catch the mother also, and thus destroy the whole family; but the “old lady” must have been watching him, for on his returning a short time after, he found all the little dingos had been carried away, and he was never able, although diligent search was made in the vicinity, to discover their place of removal. The cunning displayed by these animals, and the agony they can endure, without evincing the usual effects of pain, would seem almost incredible, had it not been related by those on whose testimony every dependence can be placed. The following are a few among a number of extraordinary instances.
One had been beaten so severely that it was supposed all the bones were broken, and it was left for dead. After the person had walked some distance, upon accidentally looking back, his surprise was much excited by seeing “master dingo” rise, shake himself, and march into the bush, evading all pursuit.—One, supposed dead, was brought into a hut, for the purpose of undergoing “decortication;” at the commencement of the skinning process upon the face, the only perceptible movement was a slight quivering of the lips, which was regarded at the time as merely muscular irritability: the man, after skinning a very small portion, left the hut to sharpen his knife, and returning found the animal sitting up, with the flayed integument hanging over one side of the face.
Another instance was that of a settler, who, returning from a sporting expedition, with six kangaroo dogs, they met a dingo, which was attacked by the dogs, and worried to such a degree, that finding matters becoming serious, and that the worst of the sport came to his share, the cunning dingo pretended to be dead;—thinking he had departed the way of all dogs, they gave him a parting shake, and left him. Unfortunately for the poor dingo, he was of an impatient disposition, and was consequently premature in his resurrection, for before the settler and his dogs had gone any distance, he was seen to rise and skulk away, but on account of the rough treatment he had received, at a slow pace; the dogs soon re-attacked him, when he was handled in a manner that must have eventually prevented any resuscitation taking place a second time.
These instances may account for the fact why skeletons of the animals are not found in places where they have been left supposed dead. I have more than once been taken where one had been killed, as I desired to have a skeleton; but no remains of the beast were visible in the majority of instances; and crows and hawks do not devour animals, bones and all, in this country.[87] The following anecdote proves that the “dingos,” although cowards when chances are against them, will, like the Chinese, stand battle when numbers and chance of victory are on their side. A native dog attacked a calf, which was driven by a man having a kangaroo dog with him. The hound immediately set upon the dingo, but four more coming to the assistance of their comrade, they tore the kangaroo dog very severely; but the man, by aid of shouting and sticks, drove them away, after much difficulty.