Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 27, 1916.djvu/456

428 his foster-parents conversing within the house, and presently gathered that they were congratulating themselves on being rid of him, for, as they said, they had been in danger of perishing for the sake of one of whose very parentage they were ignorant. Then, for the first time aware that these were not his parents, Muni made his way into the house, demanding that they tell him who is his father, that he may go and seek him. In reply he was told that his father lived in Tongatabu, whither he must go, landing at Telio in Hihifo. There a bird will meet him, and running before him lead the way to his father.

Muni at once set out, accompanied only by a Fijian attendant to whom he was greatly attached. Arrived at Telio he bade the Fijian jump ashore and fix the stake to which to fasten the boat. After many vain efforts (of which the mark remains to this day), the Fijian called out that he could not drive in the stake as he was on rock. Thereupon Muni jumped ashore, and with one great stroke of the stake drove it so deep that the hole has never been fathomed. Going up to the land he saw, as predicted, a bird, which, running before him, led at last to a bower formed of a creeping gourd plant. Putting aside the leaves, he found concealed within a man whose face was almost hidden by a huge beard. The bearded man was none other than Motuku, but naturally enough he did not at once recognise his son. Muni, however, claimed him as his parent, and on recalling the circumstances of his birth, Motuku was convinced of the reality of the relationship, and they spent some time in affectionate embraces and converse. At length Muni bade his father call together their friends and relatives, whilst he himself took a stroll. Motuku would have negatived these plans, telling Muni also that he must speak softly as he was in hiding from his ancient enemy, Bunga. Bat Muni cried aloud, "Arise and call our people together, whilst I go and seek a man to fight with." The man whom he sought was Bunga. Now Bunga lived at Boha, where he dwelt in a great enclosure with his wives. There was also a huge kava plant, and a place where the flying-foxes roosted, among them a white flying-fox, by means of which he was able to divine. When Muni arrived at Boha, Bunga was away at Halakalakala, fishing for atu. Muni knocked at the house door, and a