Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/171

Rh it, and cried to his brother to look also. Then both called loudly to their grandfather to take them on board. He heard their cries, and turned round saying, "Yea, verily, I will return, but not until six days are past. Wait ye here for me." Then he paddled swiftly, and was soon out of sight.

The children wept bitterly, for they were much afraid to be alone in this strange place where no people were. But being hungry, they climbed into the pandanus tree, and sucked many of the fruit which they found. Now it came to pass that while they were thus doing, an old woman who was a witch dreamed that she saw two children in a lonely place sucking pandanus fruit. Therefore she arose and journeyed until she came to the place of which she had dreamed. There indeed she found them, but they knowing her to be a witch, feared to come down. Then said she to them, "What do ye in the pandanus?"

They said, "Our grandfather brought us to this desolate land and left us here, saying that he would return in six days."

The witch hearing their tale, pitied them and said, "Come down now to me, and let us see what may be done."

"Nay," said they, "for if we do thou mayest kill us."

"I will not harm you," said the witch. "Come down and fear not."

Then came they down even as she had said, and