Page:Fairytales•Tregear•1891.pdf/103

 just an ordinary man. Have I not been to the world of spirits, and learned the wisdom which our ancestors keep for us beyond the Leaping-place of souls? You have seen me change my bodily form into that of a dove, and for your pleasure I have assumed the plumage of every bird that flies. Does not this prove that I am acquainted with enchantments, and is it not your own brother who is incarnate in the dove? If I can do these small things for your pleasure I can do greater; and we will begin to twist rope at once that we may catch this madly-rushing impetuous Sun who cheats us of our hours of daylight.”

Then they all began to twist and plait great ropes for snares in which to catch the sun; and after they had worked for many days their huge noose was completed. Maui had inherited from an ancestress an enchanted weapon; he took this with him, and the brothers carried the ropes and provisions out into the desert. They journeyed to the eastward, hiding during the day and travelling only at night, for fear that the Sun might see them on their way; it was very weary work in the darkness and going over unknown country. But they went on and on till they were very far from the abodes of men, even till they came to the edge of the hole