In my previous books the endeavour was to give exact if prosaic details
of life on an island off the coast of North Queensland on which a few of
the original inhabitants preserved their uncontaminated ways. Here is
presented another instalment of sketches of a quiet scene. Again an
attempt is made to describe--not as ethnological specimens, but as men and
women--types of a crude race in ordinary habit as they live, though not
without a tint of imagination to embolden the better truths.

I thankfully acknowledge indebtedness to my friends Mr. Charles Hedley,
of the Australian Museum (Sydney); Dr. R. Hamlyn-Harris, Director of the
Queensland Museum; and Mr. Dodd S. Clarke, of Townsville, N.Q., for
valuable aid in the preparation of my notes for publication.

DUNK ISLAND.




CONTENTS

PART I--SUN DAYS.

IN IDLE MOMENT
ETERNAL SUNSHINE
FRAGRANCE AND FRUIT
THE SCENE-SHIFTER
BRACE PLANTS
SHADOWS
"SMILING MORN"
ANCESTRAL SHADE