Page:The Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina.djvu/160

155 as a Toort (star) falls to the earth. When the egg reached the sky, it struck on a great heap of wood which had been gathered there by Ngoudenout, and the concussion was so great, fire immediately followed the violent contact, and lo, the whole world was incontinently flooded with celestial light!

The consternation of the Kurwie, and old dame Courtenie as well, upon this sudden deluge of unheard of effulgence was so altogether overpowering, their virulent feud was forgotten on the moment, and they and their descendents have ever since dwelt together in perfect amity, jointly paying due homage to the celestial orb of day, which had its being, and arose, out of their latest and most deadly quarrel; and which has continued ever since to bless the face of all nature with its brilliant and vivifying rays.

When the sun had thus made his glorions appearance, blessing the hitherto gloomy earth with his light and genial warmth, those of the birds and beasts who had been good in their respective generations, and had striven on all occasions to assist their fellows when overtaken by trouble, and had looked after their own food, without reference to what their neighbours fed upon, were at once converted into blackfellows, and their ancient fellows that had been discontented grumblers, and otherwise obnoxious were given them to prey upon.

This is one of the very few instances wherein their legends speak of rewards and punishments for good and bad behaviour.

Another instance is illustrated in the legend of the ogre Ngarou, that lived on the earth ages before the advent of