276 CONFESSIONS OF A BEACHCOMBER 



being three guttural gasps, diluendo, which Mickie says 

 represent the wail of the " debil-debil " as he retires into the 

 obscurity of spirit-land. 



Mickie sings this song of inspiration most vigorously, 

 when Jinny, his portly spouse, comes to "wash 'em plate" 

 in the evening, and she explains with a fat chuckle — 

 "Mickie corrobboree loud fella. He fright. He think 

 subpose he corrobboree blenty debil-debil no come up." 



Origin of the Southern Cross 



Blacks are students of natural events. The winds have 

 their specific titles, and they catalogue all the brighter and 

 more conspicuous stars and planets, while their astronomical 

 legends are quaint and entertaining. 



According to Mickie, the Southern Cross is of earthly 

 origin. He thus " repeats the story of its birth." 



"You see that fella. That one me call 'em dooey- 

 dooey — all a same shubel-nose shark, like that fella you bin 

 shoot longa lagoon. Two fella, more big, come close up 

 behind dooey-dooey, two fella black boy. Black boys bin 

 fishing alonga reef close up alonga where red mark, alonga 

 Cape Marlow — you know. They bin sit down alonga canoe. 

 Bi'mby spear 'em that dooey-dooey — beeg fella, my 

 word ! That dooey-dooey when catch 'em spear he go 

 down quick, come up under canoe capsize 'em. Two 

 fella boy swim about long time by that reef ; no catch 'em 

 that canoe. Swim ; swim 1-o-n-g way ; no catch 'em 

 beach ; go outside ; follow canoe all time. One fella say — 

 ' Brother, where we now ? ' ' Long way yet. Swim more 

 far, brother.' Bi'mby two fella talk — 'Where now, brother ? ' 

 ' Long way outside. Magnetic close up now. We two 

 fella swim more long way. Bi'mby catch 'em Barrier.' 

 One fella catch 'em hand — ' Come along, brother, youn-me 

 go outside.' 



" Two fella boy swim-swim-swim. Go outside alto- 

 gether ; leave 'em Barrier behind. Swim ; finish ; good- 



