THE TRIBAL FIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 766, 15 March 1910, Page 5

THE TRIBAL FIGHT.

SPEARS, TOMAHAWKS, AND KNIVES ELEVEN KILLED. DESPERATE STRUGGLE AT CLOSE QUARTERS. By Tolecr»i)li—Proßa association—Oooyrlzht Port Darwin, March 14. Mr. ll'Pherson, a trader, brings news of the tribal fight, which occurred or January 2i at Junction Bay. Hg had a beche do mer fishing cami at' Rolling Bay, which appears to b( neutral territory between the Junction Baj tribe and the Liverpool River tribe. Or the day of tho fight he observed hi: Junction Bay natives in full warpaint with white faces and' yellow legs. H( was told a party of Liverpool native: were concealed in tho thick jungle 30( yards distant. Soon after the day's wori was finished there was a weird, blood curdling war-whoop, and then betweer thirty and forty ghastly white-paintec figures dashed into tho open from theii place of concealment, while a still greatei number of Junction Bay natives cam( opposite the thicket to meet them. The contending parties met on a cleai open grassy sward., Showers of spears were exchanged. They were thrown witl exceeding skill and strength, while the dexterity with which the spears were dodged or warded off was amazing. One of Mr. MTherson's boys was pierced bj a spear. Then the natives came to close quarters, and a ferocious struggle ensued. The Junction boys, araed with tomahawks, trepan knives, and pieces of iron, waded in. One magnificent native, armec with a hugo club, 'rushed an opponent, but, to the surprise of Mr. MTherson, the Junction boy warded off the blow, and with a tomahawk cleft his opponent"* head from crown to base, i The battle lasted about an hour. The advantage swayed from side to side, but gradually the superior weapons of the Junction Bay natives prevailed, and the attackers broke for cover, being hotly pursued, and wounded or hacked to death by the victors. . Ejeven were killed. -The bodies were heaped together, and burnt.