The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-11-26
w onderful Dexterity.
THE BOOMERANG AND IT'S MYSTERIOUS
IRREGULARITIES.

A traveller tells us something Of the
singular weapon used by the natives of
Australia, the boomerang. He saw them
used by the natives. They range from two
feet to thirty eight inches in length, and
were of various shapes, all curved little
looking, as lie described them, like Il
wooden new moon. They were made of a
dark, heavy wood, and weighed from one
to three pounds. in thickness they vary
fl ON half an inch, and taper to II point at
each end.
One of the natives picked up the piece
of wood, and, posing it an instant, threw
it, giving it a rotary motion. For the first
one hundred feet or more it went straight
ahead. Then it tackled to the left and
rose slightly, still rotating rapidly 1t
kept this latter course for hundred feet
more, perhaps, but soon veered to the left
again, describing broader curve, and a
moment later fell to the earth six or eight
feet in front of the. thrower, having de-
scrbed nearly circle in the air.
Another native then took the same
boomerang and cast it, holding it with the
same grip. 1t took the same course, but
made broader curves, and as it came round
the black caught it handsomely in his
right hand.
Another native next threw it, and lodg-
cd it on the ground about twenty feet be-
hind him, after it had described circle of
two hundred yards or upward. After him
they all tried it, and but one of them fail
ed to bring the weapon back to the spot
where they stood.
Carnboo, native, then selec. ed fom the
heap of boomerangs another one, ana cast
it with sort of jerk. 1t flew very quick
ly for 40 or so yards, whirling like a top.
Then it darted into the air, mounting full
ly one hundred feet, and came over our
heads, where it seemed to hang stationary
for moment, then settle slowly, still
whiring, till he caught it. Two others of
the blacks did the same thing.
Meanwhile had with my knife shaved
little of the wood from the convex side
of one of the boomerangs. This is now of
fered to one of them to throw. He took
it without noticing what had done pois-
cd it, but stopped short, and with con-
temptuous glance at my improvement
threw it down and exclaimed:
bale budgery ~ Ono good)
The others then looked at it cautiously
but it was bale budgery also to them
No one could be induced to throw it,
Myers asked them why they did not use
it, but they could not give definite an.
swer 1t was plain that they did not like
the way it poised, when held in the hand
yet could not distinguish any difference
whatever between this and the other weap.
ons.
Burleigh then walked to distance o!
| feat np hn nlo Ia
Carnboo throw to him. The native look.
ed at him moment rather curiously, then
comprehending what was wanted, he Sc
lected one of the heaviest of the missiles
and, turning half round, threw it will
great force in a direction almost opposit,
from that where Burleigh stood.
The weapon sped smartly for 60 or 1(
feet, then tackled in an instant and flew di
rectly at Burleigh, and, had he not mes
expeditiously ducked, he would have re
ccived hard thump, if nothing worse. l
struck the ground 20 or so PAGES beyond
This feat brought out broad grin ant
something like chuckle from the who'll
of them. Carnboo even intimated that h
would like to try another cast, but Bur
leigh expressed himself fully satisfied.
Mr.. Smith, however, offered to take
shot, but not at too short a range. w
!, were standing in front of one of tie store
houses. Carnboo placed Smith in front O
, the door and stood with his back to him
with Smiths hand on his shoulder.
None of us knew what sort of manpu
vre lie had in mind, not even Myers. Stand
ing in his position, the black threw tn
boomerang straight ahead. Immediately