There is abundant evidence to prove that an aboriginal legal maxim was, “The stranger is an enemy, kill him.”  It was for that reason Jacky Jacky killed Little Tommy, who was a stranger, belonging to the hostile Port Fairy tribe.

Joshua and Neddy carried on the boiling down business successfully for some time, regularly shipping tallow to Melbourne in casks, until some busybody began to insinuate that their tallow was contraband.  Then Joshua took to carrying goods up the country, and Neddy took to drink.  He died at the first party given by Mother Murden at her celebrated hostelry.

There were at this time about two hundred men, women, and children scattered about the neighbourhood of New Leith (afterwards called Port Albert), the Old Port, the New Alberton and Tarra Vale.  Alberton, by the way, was gazetted as a township before the “village” of St. Kilda was founded.  There were no licenses issued for the various houses of entertainment, vulgarly called “sly grog shops.”  There was no church, no school, no minister, and no music, until Mother Murden imported some.  It was hidden in the recesses of a barrel organ; and, in order to introduce the new instrument to the notice of her patrons and friends, Mother Murden posted on her premises a manuscript invitation to a grand ball.  She was anxious that everything should be carried out in the best style, and that the festive time should commence at least without intoxication.  She therefore had one drunken man carried into the “dead room,” another to an outside shed.  Neddy, the third, had become one of her best customers, and therefore she treated him kindly.  He was unsteady on his legs, and she piloted him with her own hands to the front door, expecting that he would find a place for himself somewhere or other.  She gave him a gentle shove, said “Good night, Neddy,” and closed the door.  She then cleared a space for the dancers in her largest room, placed the barrel-organ on a small table in one corner, and made her toilet.

The guests began to arrive, and Mother Murden received them in her best gown at the front door.  Neddy was lying across the threshold.

“It’s only Neddy,” she said apologetically; “he has been taking a little nobbler, and it always runs to his head.  He’ll be all right by-and-by.  Come in my dears, and take your things off.  You’ll find a looking-glass in the room behind the bar.”

The gentlemen stepped over Neddy, politely gave their hands to the ladies, and helped them over the human obstacle.

When everything was ready, Mother Murden sat down by the barrel-organ, took hold of the handle, and addressed her guests: 

“Now boys, choose your girls.”

[Illustration 4]

The biggest bully, a “conditional pardon” man of the year 1839, acted as master of the ceremonies, and called out the figures.  He also appropriated the belle of the ball as his partner.