Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review Volumes 32 and 33.djvu/65

Rh up that method of investigation he returned to the place where his father had sat, and placed himself in the same position as that in which he had last seen Atalanga. He drew his knees up to his chin, and rested his cheek in his hand just as Atalanga had done; but instead of sleeping he peered out under his arm with watchful eye. Again the rock door opened, and the great beast came slinking quietly up. Kijikiji watched his approach, not without admiration. "It's a pity to kill this dog," he thought to himself, "but still he killed my father." The animal came on, and when within striking distance sprang at Kijikiji. Quick as lightning the lad's hand shot out, and seized the beast's head; but springing back he wrenched free, and made for his cave, with Kijikiji in hot pursuit. The dog darted into his lair, and the rock door shut to before Kijikiji reached the spot, but with a terrific kick he shivered the door and part of the cavern wall, and rushing in he laid hold of the beast's head, and broke its neck, and so killed it. Then he picked up the dog, with his father in its belly, and bore it to the open grassy place near by, which had been the town green. There he cut the animal open, and took out the body of his father. The dog he burnt, and then selecting a suitable spot he carpeted it with various sorts of leaves and laid his father thereon. Then he chose another place, on which he also strewed leaves, and lay there himself, for now that his father was dead he had no more desire to live. So he lay there, neither eating nor drinking, and his splendid body wasted away, and he died for love of his father. In course of time all that was left of them both was two heaps of bones on the green.

It will be remembered that of the inhabitants of Motuliki three had escaped the ravages of the dog by hiding in the bush, Sinailele, and her two brothers Alusa (or Balusa) and Tuitavake. They were still living in their cave in the forest, and after a time noticed that they no longer heard the baying of the great dog. They discussed the matter together, wondering what could be the reason, until Sinailele volunteered to make a personal investigation. She conjectured that the beast must