Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-05-21
SAVAGE COURTsHIP.


The Blacks OF AustraIia-NO Delay
f0 COurfship - Hard Pate OF the
Women Some National Charnc-
rteristieB.
In nothing is the brutality Of the abo-
riginal blacks of Australia more clearly
shown than in their treatment Of their
females. Among them women are con.
sidered as an inferior class, and are used
only as beasts of burden; so that it is
not at all uncommon TO meet a huge
black fellow travelling merrily along with
no load but his spear or war club, whilst
his unfortunate lenbra is painting under
the weight of their goods and chattels,
which she is compelled to carry from
camp to camp. Courtship, as the pre-
cursor of marriage, is unknown among
them. When a young warrior is desirous
of procuring a wife, he generally obtains
one by giving in exchange for her Sis
ter or some other female relative of his
own; but if their should happen to be no
eligible damsel disengaged in the tribe
TO which he belongs, then he hovers
round the encampment of some other
blacks until he gets an opportunity OF
seizing one OF their leubras, whom per-
hsps he has seen and admired when at
tending one of the feasts or corrobories.
His mode of paying his addresses is sim
ple and efficacious. With blow OF his
nulla-nulla lwar club), he stuns the OBJ
iect of his affections, and drags her
insensible body away to some retired
spot. whence, as soon as she RECEIVERS her
senses, he brings her home to his ewn
gunyah in tridmph.
Sometimes two Join in an expedition
for the same purpose, and then for seVe..
raj days they watch the movements of
their intended victims using the utmost
skill in concealing their presence. When
they have obtained the knowledge they
reouire, they wait for dark, windy
night; then quite naked, and carrying
only their long Jag speers," they crawl
stealthily through the bush until they
reach the immediate vicinity of the
camp fires, in front Of which the girls
thew are in search OF are sleeping. Slow
" and silently they creep close enough
to distinguish the figure of one OF these
leubras; then onS Of the intruders
stretches out his spear, and :pserts its
barbed point amongst her thick, flowing
locks; turning the spear slowly round,
some of her hair speedy becomes en-
tangled with it; thea Yith sudden jerk
she is aroused from her slnplber, and as
her ewes open she feels the point OF 8p-
other weapon pressed against her throat.
She neither faints nor screams; she
knows we'll that the slightest attempt at
escape or alarm viii cauSc her instant
death; SO like a sensible woman. she
makes a virtue of necessity, and rising
silently, she follows her captors. They
lead her away to a considerable distance,
tie Ler TO tree, and return to ensnare
theis other victim in like manner. Then
when they Eaye accomplished their de-
sign, they hurry OF TO their own camp,
where they are received vita universal
anplause, and highly honofed FOR theiF |
chiyslFpus exploit. Occasionally, an
alarm is given, but even then the wife
stealers easily escape amidst the confu-
sion, to renew their atteukt st some
futnre period.
When . distinguished warrior carries
of bride iron . strange tribe, he Will
frequently volunteer to undergo the
trial Of speers," in order to prevent the |
necessity of his people going to var IN
his defense; then both OF the tribes |
meet and ten Of their smartest and |
young men are picked out by |
lLs aggrievsi party. These are each
provided yith three fcad speers and a
or tbrowiag- stick; sud the
offender, armed only yitk his heilimari, !
Ia bark shield, eighteen inches long by |
six videl, is led out in front and placed |
at distance of forty yards. Then, at a
given signal, the tkirty spears sre
launched at him in rapid succession;
these he receives aud parries With bis |
shield, and so skillful are the blacks in
the use OF their own weapons, that very |
seldom is any wound inflicted. Having !
successfully passed through this ordeal,
! be warrior is eonsiderod to have fairly
earued his leubra, and 70 haze atened
Cor his offence in carrying her Of, so the
ceremony generally concludes by the
two tribes fsasting together in perfect
HARMONY