 |
Groote Eylandt Journal [p368] ... The boys say that he crept up to his victim while he was asleep and heating his iron bladed spear to redness in the fire by his side, stabbed him to death.
The old men continued cutting the canoe during the morning. The finishing cuts were put on about 2pm and a big heap of dry branches, leaves and twigs was prepared. The canoe was wet with water, and about 3 inches of water left in the bottom. Following this it was placed upon the heap and the match set. The sides of the canoe were burnt and the water inside began to steam and almost boil. The canoe was tipped from side to side till the whole had had a surface burning. Immediately while in a state like that of warm steamed wood, waddies were |
 |
[p.369] hammered up to open the canoe out and so soon as it was cool it was launched. Took 5 or 6 photos at different stages of the process of manufacture. Timothy shot a small crane-like bird not in Leach and I skinned it. Spent half an hour in clearing the swamp. Got most of rest down. Only a few trees remain at one end now. Mosquitoes are getting rather livelier lately. Very few, if any find their way up stairs while a hundred yards back where the blacks are camped there is scarcely one. Friday Dec. 16 [1922] Paid Bert for canoe. They expected some flour, perhaps owing to Mr Warren having bought former ones with flour. Gave them a blanket worth 1 pound, a 7/6 skinning knife, 6 sticks tobacco and dozen [or two fishhooks] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
