Atondido Stories
As soon as they were intent on the corrobboree and off
guard, some one was to seize the comebee, steal the firestick and
start fires for the good of all. Most of them had tasted the cooked
fish brought into the camp by the fire makers and, having found
it good, hungered for it. Beeargah, the hawk, was told to feign
sickness, to tie up his head, and to lie down near wherever the
two sat to watch the corrobboree. Lying near them, he was to
watch them all the time, and when they were laughing and un-
thinking of anything but the spectacle before them, he was to
steal the comebee. Having arranged their plan of action, they all
prepared for a big corrobboree. They sent word to all the sur-
rounding tribes, asking them to attend, especially they begged
the Bralgahs to come, as they were celebrated for their wonder-
ful dancing, which was so wonderful as to be most likely to ab-
sorb the attention of the firemakers.
All the tribes agreed to come, and soon all were engaged in
great preparations. Each determined to outdo the other in the
quaintness and brightness of their painting for the corrobboree.
Each tribe as they arrived gained great applause; never before
had the young people seen so much diversity in colouring and
design. Beeleer, the Black Cockatoo tribe, came with bright
splashes of orange-red on their black skins. The Pelicans came as
a contrast, almost pure white, only a touch here and there of
their black skin showing where the white paint had rubbed off.
The Black Divers came in their black skins, but these polished to
shine like satin. Then came the Millears, the beauties of the Kan-
garoo Rat family, who had their home on the morillas. After
them came the Buckandeer or Native Cat tribe, painted in dull
colours, but in all sorts of patterns. Mairas or Paddymelons came
too in haste to take part in the great corrobboree. After them,
walking slowly, came the Bralgahs, looking tall and dignified as
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