|
North-west Australian Fishery. 157
|
||
|
|
||
|
of
the ground worked ; but for finding shell they cannot be beaten, whilst
for powers of endurance an Australian native is unequalled in the
world. Their struggle in endeavouring to gain a bare subsistence in
this thirsty land, is most severe, and their endurance of thirst, their
patience, and their tenacity of purpose are marvellous.
They
are all passed before the magistrate at Roebourne every season, and he
sees that each man is willing and physically fit for the work, and that
at the end of the season he is returned to his home. The regulations
providing for their food, clothes, and remuneration, are carried out
fairly, although the latter is of far less importance to these men than
the former. " Damper," or unleavened bread, forms the staple food of
Australian divers, and they consume great quantities of it ; it is good
food to work on—far better than rice—and fish, dugong, and turtle,
serve as welcome additions. Their powers of sight are very keen ; when
walking on a dry reef, they will follow a white man and pick up numbers
of shells that he has passed over. It is a curious fact that a man who
by some mischance has lost an eye, is always the sharpest in finding
shell.
On some days the men are in good spirits, laughing and joking continually ; but at other times
|
||
|
|
||