Aboriginal people of the north revive old craft of Bagu figures THE Murray River valley in tropical north Queensland reaches upwards in lush tiers of forest, steep, steeper, until the range-line's jagged crest: two sharp, tooth-like peaks of bare rock, dark red, a striking indentation between them - and there is a story here. Far back, before the clock of Western time had begun to move, it was cold in the valley. The birds all thronged together and they cast envious eyes at the taipan snake. He alone was the master of fire. He had the burning firestick: he guarded it, he coiled himself around it. How the birds longed for its heat and warmth!