In former days such battles were, according to all accounts, of fairly frequent occurrence, but nowadays, no doubt largely due to the interference by European settlers, and the smaller numbers of natives, one very rarely hears that any warfare is conducted on a large scale. Indeed, many of the one-time bitterest enemies, such as the Larrekiya and Ponga Ponga, Arunndta and Aluridja, Kukata and Wongapitcha, can now be seen living in close proximity to each other, and apparently on the best of terms.
Where inherited hatred sways, treachery brews. The aggressors know that the most radical method to extinguish the enemy is to take them unawares, and to slaughter them before they can retaliate. For this purpose it is best to either steal on them in the earliest hours of morning whilst they are sleeping unsuspectingly, or to lie in ambush at a place, like a waterhole, where the enemy is sure to call.
A council of war, consisting of the oldest and most experienced men, is held to discuss the modus operandi at length. Thereupon all eligible men are apprised of the decisions arrived at. Considerable time is devoted to the preparation of spears, sharpening of blades, and straightening of shafts over a fire. Any weak spots, where the spears are likely to break when put to the test in battle, are carefully bound with kangaroo sinew, and the blades or stone-heads re-embedded in porcupine grass resin. Quantities of red ochre are ground and mixed with emu fat, with which the bodies of all warriors are covered. Each man looks to his own spear-thrower, and makes sure that it has not warped or split, and that the handle and hook are secure; a warrior with a defective spear-thrower would be next to useless on the battlefield. The men tie their hair back tightly with human hair-string, and go absolutely nude. The work is all done in a thorough and conscientious way, yet there is every indication of humour about the camp, and nowhere does one see any sign of fear or nervousness on part of either the men who are going to fight, or of their near relatives. There is even an indication of frivolity, with much jabbering and laughter. The women assist assiduously while the preparations are in progress, and add considerably to the entertainment of their heroes, who are about to depart. Even when at length the expedition makes a start, some of the old gins run at the side of the men and keep on joking with the men at the expense of the opponents, roars of laughter every now and then announcing a particularly clever sally from the lips of an old hag barely able to control herself with excitement in her endeavour to incite the men.
Before leaving their camp in a body, all warriors congregate in a circle on parade, holding their weapons balanced in the spear-thrower. Two or three of the old men make a careful scrutiny of the group and their outfit and give final instructions as to how the campaign is to be conducted. Quite occasionally, indeed, a general discussion might take place, at which any suggestions of younger warriors are received and weighed by the seniors, prior to departure. Then the official start is made.
As the little troop advances, the men begin to gesticulate and brandish their weapons, whilst they dance, with their beards poked between their lips and teeth. Occasionally they send forth a loud, piercing yell resembling a war-whoop; then they poise their weapons, at the same time stamping and vibrating their legs, and deriding the enemy with a scurrilous tongue.
If the enemy is to be met in open battle, the place and time of the proposed encounter are arranged beforehand by means of carved wooden missives and special carriers.
Having arrived at the place, and vis-à-vis to the foe, vociferation and antics continue to the verge of hysterical jactitation. One or two of the most daring warriors, before hostilities have actually begun in earnest, rush to the fore, and, placing themselves in front of what might appear the strongest of the opposite party, continue their antics in contempt of them. Thus the patience of the enemy is harassed time after time; and in a similar way the enemy reciprocates.
The moment will, however, arrive when one becomes a little too daring or forward, and, with intention or otherwise, touches the person opposed to himself. The insulted warrior, who has thus been called out, responds with a tremendous roar, and drives straight at his opponent with his spear, using it as a lance.
In an instant the scene is changed. All participants retreat to a respectable distance, about fifty feet or more, towards their respective sides, amidst fearful yelling. The moment they reach the new positions, the air becomes alive with spears, and the fight has commenced in reality.
The throwing and aiming of the projectiles are good, but the ducking and dodging of the selected victims are equally so. During the whole term of the encounter, terrifying bawls are heard, which are emitted by the enraged fighters, and responded to by the excited women in the background. Thus the conflict may last for an hour or two, without a casualty being recorded. When a man is hit, the hideous yelling reaches its climax. The wounded fellow, unless he be mortally hit or falls to the ground unconscious, immediately backs out of the “firing line” under cover of his shield, and seeks shelter behind the warriors, where he is attended by the women, who still the flow of blood with a packing of clay, gum leaves, powdered bird excrement, and grease. Should a spear, or portion of such, still be lodged in the wound, the assistance of an old man will in all probability be called upon to extricate the piece. If, however, the spear-head breaks in the attempted removal, no further operation is undertaken then, and perhaps not until the natural suppurative processes force the fragment near to the surface of the body. The aborigines, although they use a knife freely in the mutilation of their bodies, are not sufficiently skilful as surgeons that they can make an incision into muscle or other tissue to extricate a foreign body, such as a broken spear-head, even if the point is pressing the skin outwards on the side opposite the laceration, and the barbs prevent it being pulled back.