Page:More Australian legendary tales.djvu/78

 spluttering, whizzing noise with his lips Wurrunnah had already heard.

Wurrunnah said: "Has he gone right away from you?" Again came only the spluttering, whizzing noise, a sort of pursing of the lips together, and blowing out a sound like "Phur-r, phur-r."

"Is it true that he has gone for ever?"

"Phur-r, phur-r," came again the answer.

Wurrunnah stood up and motioned Earmoonän back, saying: "You go away now. That will do. I want you there no more. You tell me nothing of Byamee."

At the sound of the name "Byamee," Earmoonän jumped away, saying as he went: "Phur-r, phur-r."

He quickly disappeared, going back to the sand-ridges under which Wurrunnah had heard he and the rest of the strange litter lived, in huge caves, where- they imprisoned any travellers they could round up into them. Nothing frightened them but mention of the name of Byamee.

Wurrunnah did not mean to risk another encounter, so he hurried on to Dungerh. On, on he travelled for many days, until at last he reached Doogoonberh, which is on the sea. Seeing a wide expanse of water before him and feeling thirsty, he took his little binguie down to dip some out and drink.

"Kuh!" he said as he swallowed a mouthful before he realised the strange taste. "Kuh! Budta! Budta! Salt! Salt!" said he, as he spat out what he could.

He thought it must be the white froth that was salt, so he cleared this off with his hand, dipped the binguie in again, and again tasted. "Kuh! Kuh! Budta! Budta! I