Australian+Legends

Australian Legends by C. W. Peck  [1925]  This is a collection of Aboriginal folklore, and stories about Aborigines, primarily from the New South Wales region of Australia, on the southeast coast. Unlike Parker, we know next to nothing about Peck other than the fact that he was a botanical enthusiast. It is fairly certain that at the time he wrote there were very few remaining native Australians in that region. So his framing story of an aboriginal 'princess' (the Aborigines have no such class distinctions) dropping by his 'tyre' shop seems a bit improbable. His writing ability was far inferior to Parker, and his obsession with the Watarah flower gets a bit tedious. However, the stories related here largely cross-check with other accounts, so folkloric aspects of this book are probably factual.

A ROYAL VISIT My office was very small, and very stuffy, though under the floor covering whenever I lifted it up, it was damp and mildewed. The day was hot and steamy, and before me on the desk was a loose-leaf ledger that simply bristled and screamed with figures. The headings were such as this: "30 x 5.77 Covers, 710 x 90 Covers, 30 x 31 B.E. Covers, many-figured Tubes," etc., etc., and the columns were serial numbers of tyres containing as many as nine figures. One figure denoted the year in which the tyres were manufactured, another the month, and intervening figures accounted for wealth of fabric or cord, and other details of tyre-building. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">For we were distributors of motor-tyres. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">The little half-door between me and the shop gave me a view of the counter; and the shelves, packed with little red bags, were heavy with their goods. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">In the little red bags were the inner tubes. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Men came in and went out. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Some took price-lists. Some asked questions only, and then retired. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Some made a purchase and haggled about the discount, and some wanted to see the Chief. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">My eyes ached and my head was not altogether free from a feeling like neuralgia. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">The mildew, the heat, the figures-all were contributing factors. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Then I heard a voice that made me drop my pen and peer out towards that end of the counter near the door, and just out of my view as I remained seated and at ease. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">As near to the outside door as she could stand while yet within the shop-that is the position taken up by the owner of the voice. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">And such a voice! Smooth and soft and cushioned! <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">As velvet is soft to the touch, so this voice is soft to the ear. Perhaps not everyone's ear, but certainly to mine. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">My twisting office-chair creaked as I stood up. Stood up to attention as rigidly-hatless and coatless as I was-just as I sprang to it with a click when the General addressed me away over in Palestine. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Nungurra ilukka," I said. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">The owner of the voice-a lady-shy, timid, reserved, refined-turned to me. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"That is the language of my people," she said. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Come here, please, and speak to me," I said. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Now 1 have heard some people snigger at the walk of those to whom this lady belonged. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">It is certainly as different from that of most Sydney people, or any other white people, as the step of a peacock is from the tramp of a camel. It has the qualities of the peacock. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">It is soft. It is noiseless. It is dainty. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">It takes up its full share of the floor. Every toe finds its level, and the heel is planted as firmly as the supports of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">As I said before, it is noiseless. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">When I had found the lady a seat, and had resumed mine, I asked, "In what part of your country were you born?" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">She answered evasively. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">It is as natural for her and her people to be evasive as it is for the most shrewd of us to refrain from telling the whole truth when we want to sell a secondhand car or a groggy horse. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"My father," she said, "came from the South and my mother from the North. His language was not the same as my mother's. I speak between the two. My words are both his and hers. Yours are neither. You speak like the people of far, far away. I do not understand you. But I know your words are of my country." <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Then she leaned forward and put a hand as soft as her footfall and as soft as her voice, on my shoulder. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">She peered into my face and searched me as if she expected to see something she would be afraid of. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">But she was not afraid. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Excuse me putting my hand on your shoulder," she said. "Perhaps I have no right to do it. But I know now you do not mind, and you will understand." <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Then her lips quivered and her eyes filled. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">She leaned forward. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"You know my people?" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">She questioned me. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Yet it was not really a question. It was a statement of fact. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Yes," I said, "I know your people!" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Then she overflowed. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"And aren't they GOOD people?" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">It was an unburdening! It was a cry! <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Yes," I said. "They ARE good people!" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Then she removed her hat. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Her hair is white and old. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"My father was a King. I am a Princess. My blood is royal!" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"And where was your father a King?" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"He was a King of his people, and they lived around Wollongong. I am a native of the Wollongong district-born at Unanderra!" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Was your father ever crowned?" I asked. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Yes," she said, "when I was a grown girl-a young woman-he was crowned by the white people at a Wollongong Show. They gave him the title of 'King Mickey!'" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Then I saw a picture of my tiny boyhood. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">In the Show ring, just after the high-jumping contest was decided, a black man was taken by the hand by a Wollongong dignitary and led to a small dais. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Some ceremony was enacted, but I was too small and too young to understand. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">I saw that black man invested with something, and the people cheered and the black man shouted and waved his hands, and he had a string round his neck, and a brass crescent hung over his broad hairy chest. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"I saw your father crowned," I said, "and since then I have seen many of your people. They are GOOD people." <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">I bowed my royal visitor out. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">She carried an inscribed copy of a little book about her folk. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"My grandchildren will read it to me," she said, "and I will come back one day, and I will tell you some more of our stories-stories we do not tell excepting to our own people. But I will tell them to you!" <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"This," I said, "is a Royal visit." <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">She paused. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Your people came here and took our country," she said very quietly, "but just a few of you understand us. I go now to Wollongong." My Royal visitor has been back to my office.