Edward Robert Tregear

“ Tini waited a long time for his pet’s return, but no sign of its appearance came. One day the wind blew directly from the country of Kae towards the Sacred Island, and Tini said to his people, “Borne on the wind I smell the savour of roasted flesh. It is the flesh of Tutu.”
Hina also discerned the scent of the poor whale’s flesh being roasted; angry indeed were both husband and wife, for they had designed Tutu to be the bearer of their little boy when he had grown up. ”

“ Kura was the name of the winged woman; and Kura took the youth away prisoner to her home, intending to keep him as a pet, for she was fond of pets, and had many little birds and tame lizards about her dwelling. Hatu was not treated unkindly; but the Ogress always ate her food raw, and she disgusted her captive by insisting that he should eat the same uncooked viands. The youth, however, only pretended to eat his portion of the raw flesh, putting the pieces to his mouth and then letting them fall unobserved. ”

“ He was received with hospitality, his path was strewed with flowers and sweet-scented herbs; all that the simple-minded people could do to show their respect and welcome was accorded to the powerful ruler. ”

“ So they resolved to fit up an expedition to visit Kae, and if possible to entice him back to Sacred Island, so that they might have revenge for their murdered pet. They dragged a double canoe from the shed in which it was safely kept, and this canoe was launched and provisions put into it for a voyage. Only women were allowed to go on the expedition, for they thought, “If there are only women, the party will not be attacked; and they can beguile the old magician more easily.” Hina with forty other women started in the canoe, and they sailed across the ocean. ”

“ Then the snake left the salt water and swam up the current of a mountain stream till it arrived near the tree on which the heron was sleeping. Easily the snake climbed the tree, and taking two or three turns of its tail around a branch it fiercely attacked the heron. They fought hard all night, and the next morning appeared, that on which Rata observed them. The heron cried out to the man, “O Rata, kill the evil snake and end the fight.” But the serpent said, “Rata, do not interfere. It is only a trial of strength, and it must be fought out fairly.” ”

“ Kahu was a small and unusually fair-skinned man, almost as white as the fairies themselves, so he slipped out among the fairies who were hauling the net, and he pulled away lustily with the others, none of them observing that he was not one of themselves. ”

“ He rubbed his eyes and stared awhile, then proceeded to chop away at the timber. Hour after hour passed, at last the first tree, with a mighty crash, came down; he went to the other, worked away with untiring arms till the second tree lay by the side of the other. ”

“ When they had found out which was he, they pretended that there was too much light and heat from the fire, as it made them too warm when dancing, so the fire was allowed to burn low, and the women commenced a “lullaby” song, a magical sleep-making charm. ”