Their doctors use incantations and apply pressure to the affected parts. They also employ the vapour bath, obtained by putting wet water-weeds on heated stones and covering the patient with rugs.
The poison revenge is a dreadful visitation. A spear-head is plunged into a putrid corpse, and with feathers so dipped in the fat a wound is inflicted on an enemy, who dies in dreadful agony, similar in effect to blood-poisoning from dead animals amongst ourselves. To possess this poison is the old natives’ object; they therefore often oppose the burial of the dead.
They appear to have a talent for extempore productions. When Sir G. Grey’s party was in a hopeless condition for want of water and food, the native Kaiber sat shouting to himself native songs.
Thither, mother, Oh! I return again,
Thither, Oh! I return again.
Whither does that lone ship wander?
My young son I shall never see again.
Whither does that lone ship wander?
Very pathetic. Their feelings are very strong, as may be seen by Warrup’s account of the discovery of Smith’s remains, one of Sir George Grey’s companions, which were found stretched on a high rock, where he lay down and died.
Away, away, we go—