We find in Brough Smyth an account of a betrothal ceremony, as practised by the natives on Fraser Island (Queensland). This description is given by a correspondent of the Rev. L. Fison: "The bride makes a fire, and the other natives come and place white feathers on her head; then the bride places feathers on the head of the bridegroom; the bridegroom makes a fire, and every one of the blacks present on the occasion brings a firestick and throws it down at the bridegroom's fire."[112] [112] _Loc. cit._, i. p. 89. Girls were betrothed in infancy by their mothers amongst the Wakelbura. It was supposed that a girl would be given in exchange for her.[113] In case of elopement, there was a severe fight, and only after a victory over many adversaries could the man keep his wife. [113] Howitt, _Nat. Tr._, p. 222, and _Trans. R.S.V._, p. 117. Among the North-West Central Queensland tribes[114] "each male can have an official wife" supplied him by the camp in general council assembled,[115] and an unofficial one of his own choice. "Both share equal rights and responsibilities." The consent of the girl's family is in both cases essential.[116] The ceremony of betrothal consisted in exchange of firesticks, and "is binding on both sides."[117] Exchange of sisters is practised, too.[118] If eloping, "both have to run the gauntlet of the outraged community," which gives them a rather harsh reception. After which "the couple is now recognized as husband and wife."[119] In cases of elopement of a married woman there is a fight, or compensation is granted to the injured husband. In another place Roth says that taking a girl against the wishes of parents was punished by death.[120] [114] W. E. Roth, _Ethnol. Stud._, pp. 180, 181, sec. 323. [115] See _Ibid._, sec. 238. [116] _Ibid._, p. 181, under _a._ [117] _Ibid._ [118] _Ibid._, p. 181, under _b._ [119] _Ibid._, p. 181, under _c._ [120] W. E. Roth, _N.Q. Ethnog._, Bull. 8, p. 5. According to Macgillivray's information, infant betrothal even before birth was prevalent in the Port Essington tribes.[121] [121] _Loc. cit._, i. p. 151. The following account is reported by a Lascar who spent several years among the tribes of the North-East coast (Raffles Bay): "Their marriage ceremony is performed in the following way: The father and mother of a female child lead in one hand between them the intended bride (whilst in the other they each carry a piece of burning wood) towards the intended husband, he standing with his back towards them. When they arrive at the appointed place, the parents lay down the burning pieces of wood, beside which the child sits down, and the parents retire, on which the husband turns round to his wife and takes her home."[122] [122] Wilson, p. 144.