Page:The Native Tribes of South Australia (1879).djvu/163

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EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL. 97 the neighbourhood. I could not help thinking to-day that a load of firewood which the boys fetched bore witness that superstition was losing its hold upon them. It was composed almost entirely of panpande and palye wood. Three years ago the boys would not have dared to burn such wood, as the old men would have been so angry. 8th June. —This afternoon Boord and Menatowe charged the young men who are working with me with adultery, and demanded that they should leave the place. This charge the accused strenuously denied, and refused to depart. There was a stormy dispute. I believe that the real cause of the dislike of these fellows to the young men is that they showed a police trooper where some ngadhungi were concealed, and he took them away. Hence their threats of vengeance and millin and ngadhungi. 9th. —To-day Boord and Menatowe and their adherents fell upon the workmen and beat them grievously. Four were disabled and one nearly killed. It was an atrocious proceeding. Boord is a great sorcerer, and hates the young fellows because they won’t believe in him. l0th. —Boord came and tried to quarrel with me and insulted me this morning. I ordered him off. llth. —Last night I was aroused from sleep by a loud knocking at my door. On calling out I found it was Boord. He said that his brother was ill at the camp. It appeared that they were all singing a corrobery when this man was suddenly taken ill, and they thought he would die, so they all shrieked and cried for fear. He begged me to go and see him. I hastily dressed and went with Boord, and found that his brother had a. slight paralytic seizure. I returned home, sent him some medicine, and then went to bed again. 6th November. —Teenminne arrived to-day. She has been brought from the river in a canoe as she is ill. 7th. —Teenminne is very ill, and evidently has been so for some time. She is much altered in appearance. I have no doubt of her true piety. She is a lover of prayer. I fear for her. May