When, after a good day’s march, the natives have the luck to strike a big waterhole, each of the party immediately quenches his thirst by literally “filling up” on the spot. Different methods are adopted to accomplish this. Some prefer to remain prone at the water’s edge, whilst others wade into the deeper parts of the hole, and, placing their hands upon their knees, stoop and drink off the surface.
The Cambridge Gulf tribes pull a long-stalked leaf of the water-lily, which, after they have cut it at top and bottom, acts like a tube and permits them to suck the cooler fluid from a depth.
After quenching his thirst, a native will on a hot day often cool his system by pouring water on to his head. The women-folk and children are very fond of splashing the head with cold water, which they might do repeatedly during the day, provided the opportunity is afforded. Bathing during the heat of the day is also commonly enjoyed by all the northern tribes, especially those resident in the tropics where water is abundant.
CHAPTER XIII
CAMP LIFE
Preparation of camping ground—The bed and its coverings—Sleeping order—Brushwood shelters—Various habitations—Vermin-proof platforms—Common position during sleep—Friendly meetings and salutations—Sitting postures—Sense of Modesty—Bird-like attitude—Gins procure firewood—The campfire—Methods of cooking—Fire-shovels—Fire-stick—Fire-whisk—Fire-saw—Women the recognized transport agents—Care of weapons—Sundry occupations while in camp—Absence of wearing apparel—Pubic coverings—Cosmetics—Hair-belts—Pristine philosophy—Removing thorns—The aboriginal loves his dog—The dingo.
Having arrived at the chosen camp-site, each family group at once busies itself clearing a patch of ground of any obstacles, like stones and lumps of earth, the biggest of which are picked up by hand or crushed by foot, the smaller brushed aside with the sides of the feet. In addition, the women may be told to sweep the ground with branches to clear it of grass-seeds and burrs. Should it be that the spot is only reached after dusk, the natives set fire to one or two dry bushes, the glare of which supplies them with the necessary light.
Each adult scoops a “bed” for himself on the sand, and lights a small fire on one or both sides of it.
The northern coastal tribes very often spread sheets of paper-bark over the sand, and they might also cover their bodies with similar material. Should the mosquitoes become a great nuisance, one often sees them completely covered with sand.
The south-eastern tribes of Australia, including those of the River Murray and Adelaide Plains, used skins and rugs made of kangaroo and opossum skins, neatly sewn together, to lie upon and under.