Page:Fairytales•Tregear•1891.pdf/15

 and the canoe rose above the trees with a rush of fluttering feathers. Down to the sea they went bearing the double canoe, which afterwards became the most famous vessel in Pacific Island story. Thus was Rata rewarded for having saved the life of the fair white heron in its struggle against the evil serpent.

 

Shortly after the time when the Maori people came to New Zealand there lived three brothers who were very fond of hunting and fishing. One of these was named Hatu; and he being younger than the others was treated by them with contempt, and did not receive his proper share of the food, or get any of the tit-bits; so