the wisest amongst all the animals enquired into the circumstances connected with this extraordinary drought. It was ascertained beyond doubt that the monster Frog had within himself all the waters that should have covered the waste places of the earth, and further, that if the Frog could be made to laugh, (Kramban), the waters would run out of his mouth, and there would be plenty in all parts. It was agreed that an effort should be made to cause the monster Frog to laugh. Several animals danced and capered before him, but he remained as solemn and as stupid as any ordinary Frog, even when their gestures were sufficient to make mirth anywhere. All the animals tried and failed. At length No-yang (the Eel) began to wriggle and distort himself, and the Frog's jaws opened. He laughed outright. When he laughed, all the waters came out of his mouth, and there was a flood (Koorpa). Great numbers were drowned in the flood. Many, very many, perished in the waters. The Pelican (Booran), who before the flood was a blackfellow, took upon himself to save the black people. He cut a very large canoe (Gre), and sailed among the islands which appeared here and there in the great waters, and he took the people into his canoe, and he kept them alive. By and by the Pelican had a quarrel with the people whom he had saved. He quarrelled with them about a woman, and the Pelican was turned into a stone.
The following is the tradition of the Aborigines of one part of the River Murray. Before the earth was inhabited by the existing race of black men, birds had possession of it. These birds had as much intelligence and wisdom as the blacks—nay, some say that they were altogether wiser and more skilful in all things. The Eaglehawk seems to have been a ruler—the chief amongst the birds—and next in authority was the Crow. On one occasion the Eaglehawk left his son in charge of the Crow. The young one became thirsty, and asked the Crow where he could get a drink. He was told to go to the river (Warn-dwan), and the Crow went with him. The Crow made the young one drink until he was swollen to an immense size. The Crow then threw something at him, and caused him to burst, and the waters that flowed from him overspread the country.
The Sun.
At the beginning the Sun did not set. It was at all times day, and the blacks grew weary. Nooralie considered and decided at length that the Sun should disappear at intervals. He addressed the Sun in these words:—
Yhuko warrie, Yhuko warrie,
Yarrarama wane dilya,
Yantha, Yanthoma wane dilya,
Tull Tull.
Which being interpreted means: "Sun, Sun, burn your wood, burn your internal substance, and go down."
The natives believe that because the Sun gives heat it needs fuel, and that when it descends below the horizon it reaches vast depths whence it procures fresh food for its fires.
