would retire to rest; but before the faintest color of morning was seen in the east, when the note of the earliest bird was heard, when the first cold breeze began to stir the mists of the swamps, and when the stars were glittering and melting in the steel-blue of the western sky, the conductors would awake the strangers and recommence the journey. All but the initiated keep their eyes on the ground. No unnecessary conversation interrupts the journey through the tall damp ferns, past the ghost-like forms of the grass-trees, through the deep mazes of the tangled reeds and tea-tree. When they gain a height, and when they are in sight of Wamoom, the strangers turn their backs towards it. The conductors gesticulate. They enquire whether Loo-errn will show himself. A joyful cry is heard. Loo-errn is pleased, and will show himself to the strangers! Yes, he will show himself, but at a great distance! One of the conductors takes his kur-ruk (throwing-stick), and orders the strangers to fix their eyes on the point of it. "Look well!" he cries, as he moves the kur-ruk slowly towards Wamoom, where Loo-errn is standing. Their impatient eyes follow the slow movement of the weapon, and in a moment they all see Loo-errn. Clothed in mist, and regarding with unnatural but human eyes these intruders on his domain, Loo-errn, awful and majestic, permits for a few seconds his form to be visible. It is over. The strangers depart. Loo-errn indicates through his young men that he is pleased with the strangers. They have been obedient to his laws. Ever after, by the power of Loo-errn, the strangers can kill all enemies except those belonging to Loo-errn's country.
Wi-won-der-rer.
There is a range with a well-marked culminating point lying to the north-east of Western Port, which, the Aborigines say, is inhabited by an animal resembling in form a human being, but his body is hard like stone. The mountain is called Narn, and the strange animal is named Wi-won-der-rer. Formerly this animal used to kill many blacks. So many indeed were killed by Wi-won-der-rer that at last it became necessary to consider in what way those remaining might be preserved. A council of aged and wise men was held, and much debate ensued, and many suggestions were made. Finally it was agreed that the most cunning doctor, with other learned doctors and priests, should visit Narn and ascertain the condition of Wi-won-der-rer, and, if possible, kill him and his people (of whom there were a good many). The wise men explored the mountain ranges very carefully. Armed with spears, stone hatchets, and waddies, they sought to find and slay the strange creatures with bodies like stones. And they found them at length; but their weapons, when they assaulted them, made no impression on them. It was reported, however, that these creatures were vulnerable in the eyes and the nostrils. One doctor said he had thrust his spear into the eye of a Wi-won-der-rer, and had killed him, and another said that he had killed one by thrusting his spear into his nostril.
The blacks will not visit this range. A settler was lost many years ago in the neighbourhood of Narn, and though every inducement was offered to
