July 1954 School Magazine

July. 1954

Bris·bane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

Bris·bane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

July, 1954

NIKI'S FIRST HUNT. Niki sat on the log across the creek, swinging one bare brown leg, and watching the other children, from fat little pica- ninnies to boys his own age, playing in the water. Through the drowsy afternoon sunshine came the quiet hum of cicadas in the bush. The wattles were in bloom, and with their golden glow fringing the stream, they made a lovely picture. But Niki had no eyes for tbe beauty around him. His mind was on the morrow which would be, he thought dreamily, the greatest day of his life. He was twelve years of age, and for the first time he was going to accompany the men of the tribe on a kangaroo hunt. He would not be allowed to join in the kill, he was told, but as long as he was as quiet as a snake, and as invisible, he could watch the warriors track and spear the animal. The tribe was in need of food, and fresh kangaroo meat would be a welcome change in the rather monotonous diet. That night Niki hardly slept at all . He crept out of the mia-mia long before even the first glow of dawn was in the sky, and gazed at the watchful stars and the moon, impatiently waiting for the men to wake up. They left soon after sunrise, for there were no kangaroos in the immediate vicinity, and the journey might be quite a long one. Niki trotted along con- tentedly behind the men, thinking of all the things he would do when he too was a warrior-brave in battle, wise in counsel, and respected by everyone, even the oldest and wisest in the tribe. His pleasant visions of the future were interrupted by a shout from one of the men, who pointed a t the ground. In the dust were fresh kangaroo prints. Now the hunt began in earnest. Niki was strictly instructed to keep silent, and like a small black shadow he glided along, instinctively avoiding the tiniest twig that was likely to snap at his ' tread. The sun was high in the heavens by now, and he was beginning to feel rather hungry. Some where a kooka- burra's merry laugh rang out, and then they saw them-not one, but two fine, large kangaroos quietly cropping the grass in the open plainland a little way ahead. Niki remained still, quivering with excitement, while several of the best spear throwers moved forward, step by step, not disturbing the animals by the slightest noise. They took up their positions on the edge of the bush, crouching behind the last trees . One of the beasts looked up, nostrils twitching. Then, at a given signal the men sprang. Five spears hissed through the air, fata lly accurate- at least, in one case. The 28

other kangaroo bounded away and was soon invisible in an- other patch of bush. But the men were satidied with their kill. It was a huge animal, requiring three stalwart warriors to carry it, hoisted on a pole, back to the camp. The return journey was a merry one, with much laughter and many reminiscences of other hunts in days gone by. Niki and the other boys ran around like mad things, explorlng the strange country through which they were passing, teasing the dogs, and pretending to fight one another. When they finally reached the camp they were all very tired, and hardly able to appreciate the fine kangaroo steaks which tne lubras cooked in the flames of their camp fires. When the stars were once more above, Niki went to sleep, lulled by the peaceful sounds of the bush, to dream of his first exciting kangaroo hunt. P.R., IV. A.

THE 4.35

-ALEXA TABKE, V.A.

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