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76 one accord to the cave, where their master awaited their coming, and sat at his feet in silence. But the man, who still lay where they had left him, brake his bonds in sunder and rose to his feet. Then, for there was none to let him, he went forth from the jungle to his own home. And when he entered he said to his wife, "Cook me much food and light me a fire, that I may eat and be warm and rest, for I am sore indeed." His wife did even as he bade her, and the man lay till the morrow.

Then his anger being yet hot within him, he called his friends together, and bade them fetch spears and torches, and follow whither he should lead. They were obedient to his word, and ere long all were standing outside the cave where dwelt the fairies and their king.

Inside were the fairies, waiting for the dusk that they might go forth once more. But suddenly flames were leaping round the opening of the cave, and rolling clouds of smoke poured in.

"Ai-gugugugu! Ai-gigigigi!" cried the fairies, but not for long were their voices heard, and the fire when it died left not one alive in the cave.

Then was the man's heart glad, and he departed to seek his waoi. And that night many men ate of it, and were glad.

But had the fairies lived, and not been burned, then no man might have eaten of waoi for ever, for the fairies would have demanded his life in payment.