CHAPTER XIX.

A NATIVE ENCAMPMENT AND A CORROBOREE.--RIDING ACROSS-COUNTRY.-- AMONG THE BLACKS.--NATIVE DANCES.--A WEIRD SCENE.--ABORIGINAL MUSIC.--STORIES ABOUT CORROBOREES.--CURIOUS CUSTOMS.--HOW THE BLACK MEN OBTAIN THEIR WIVES.--TESTING THE STOICISM OF YOUTHS.--AN ALARM AT NIGHT.--RETURN TO SYDNEY.--A BRICKFIELDER.--HOT WINDS FROM THE DESERT.--HOW A PICNIC WAS BROKEN UP.--OVER THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.--RAILWAYS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.--SALUBRITY OF THE MOUNTAIN CLIMATE.--GOULBURN.-- THEATRICAL GOSSIP.--FIRST THEATRE IN AUSTRALIA.--A CONVICT'S PROLOGUE.--THE DRAMA UNDER DISADVANTAGES.--THE RIVERINA.-- ALBURY AND THE VICTORIAN FRONTIER.--PROTECTION AND FREE-TRADE.--FISHING IN THE MURRAY RIVER.--AUSTRALIAN FISHES.--FROM ALBURY TO MELBOURNE. 429