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Rh Now it fell out that the old man worked still on the hillside, and as he worked his digging stick became blunt. So he took his stone axe and began to sharpen it, but even as he did thus, the axe slipped and cut his hand. He watched as the blood flowed from the cut, and said, "This is witchcraft!" But the blood flowed on; therefore he knew it was not so. Then said he, "Perchance a sorcerer hath done it!" But even so was the flow of blood not stayed. Then cried he, "Now I know that the children have fled!" And at these words the cut closed its edges, and the blood flowed no longer.

Then he made haste and ran down the hill, that he might find them and lead them back again.

The children were much afraid when they saw the old man so close to them, and ran the faster. Now, as they ran, they saw before them Uapanipani, the crane, and to him they cried, "Ah, grandfather, canst thou save us from him who pursues us?"

Then said Uapanipani, "Fear not. With me ye are safe."

Nevertheless the old man was close upon them, and he cried to Uapanipani, "Oh, Egubeda (Sharer of betel nut), take one child, but give me the other!"

At this word the children feared greatly lest Uapanipani should do as he had been bidden. But he turned to them and asked of them whither they desired to go.

'Take us to our own land," they cried, "to the house under the white-fleshed coconut."