Page:Fairytales•Tregear•1891.pdf/119





 

Long, long ago, when the world was young, a chief named Eda went out with his companions in a canoe to fish for turtle. They made ready their net and cast it overboard, then all dived together into the water. Eda sank beneath the surface and in the clear translucent water perceived the opening of a small cave. He swam towards the mouth of it and looked in, when suddenly a huge hand was thrust forth at the end of a long emaciated arm and in its clutch Eda was drawn into the dark recesses of the cavern. He had become the prey of a water-spirit. His companions dived again and again, searching for their comrade; till, eventually, his feet were seen protruding from a crevice, and although they exerted all their strength they found it impossible to with- 