Page:Fairytales•Tregear•1891.pdf/64

 ment. Amongst the natives came a visitor from the land whence the ironwood tree had been brought, and he alone knew in what manner it was possible to overcome the demon guarding the precious wood. The name of this chief was Ono. In his possession was a talisman in the shape of a sacred spade, given to him by his father; over this weapon (for it could be used as a club) had been recited many spells, and by its aid Ono determined to do battle with the demon Vao. He went to the valley in which the formidable tree stood, and having first carefully noted all the peculiarities of its growth, he proceeded to dig about the roots and lay them bare, but not injuring the main roots in any way. When he had traced the rootlets out over the hillside till they became small and insignificant he chopped through these. He worked on and on with persistent industry, the chips being scattered far and wide over the ground. When several days of labour had been spent, the whole of the surface roots had lost their hold upon the soil and the tree began to totter, but did not fall, for a large tap-root sent its strong body deep into the red soil. Ono dug deep about this, dug on and on till the tap-root became small, then, with one stroke he severed the tapering portion