great and very powerful. Loo-errn's permission to enter his territory was granted in this way: If any blacks—say from Geelong—wished to visit the blacks at Western Port, they were to repair to some part of the mouth of the River Yarra, wait there for the Yarra blacks, and, having found them, tell them where they proposed to go. If their proposal was approved of, they were conducted over the river, but always with their backs towards the side to which they were going. When they had crossed over, they were made to sit down with their backs towards Wamoom. A large fire was kindled in front of them, and they had to sit there a whole day without moving, and without food or water.[1] This was done to let them know in what manner Loo-errn would roast them if they offended in any way against the laws of his country. At sun-down, or perhaps a little before sun-down, one of Loo-errn's young men would bring some water in a tarnuk, holding in his hand a reed. The tarnuk full of water was placed near the lips of the first amongst the strangers, and just as the lips of the half-roasted and perspiring creature touched the woodeu vessel, the reed was passed between his lips and it, and the tarnuk was taken to the next man, and the same ceremony repeated. This was done to all the strangers; and then the tarnuk was taken away. After this some meat would be brought, and the smallest piece that could be cut was given to each. These things were done to show in what manner Loo-errn would treat them if they offended against the laws of his country in any way. After sun-down the travellers would be permitted to leave their places, and to eat and drink as much as they might think good for them. Next day each would have handed to him a piece of bark and also boughs to get a light from the fire at which they had been half-roasted. With this fire in their hands, they would be conducted to the place where they wished to go; but they were required to keep their eyes on the ground all the way. If a halt were made, each would have to sit with his back towards Wamoom. Thus they would be conducted, day after day, holding in their hands the bark or boughs lighted at Loo-errn's fire until they reached the tribe they desired to visit.
Loo-errn's country—that which was peculiarly his own—was that tract of heavily-timbered ranges lying between Hoddle's Creek and Wilson's Promontory. The higher parts and the flanks of these ranges are covered with dense scrubs, and in the rich alluviums bordering the creeks and rivers the trees are lofty, and the undergrowth luxuriant; indeed in some parts so dense as to be impenetrable without au axe and bill-hook. Any Aboriginal who dared to penetrate this country without the permission of Loo-errn died a death awful to contemplate, because the torments preceding death could never be described. Before any black could see Loo-errn it was necessary not only to undergo the roasting but to wash two or three times a day for several days, and then to paint the body. These things were usually done at some point about a day's journey from Wamoom.
When a company of strangers had been conducted by Loo-errn's young men to some resting-place at a proper distance from Wamoom, the whole party
- ↑ Other particulars are given which need not be recorded.
