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146 gelaruru into the sea; yet though the canoe was thus lightened, the waves filled it, and it sank. Then was the boy in the water, and he swam and swam until both arms were weary. Then being worn out he sank below the waves and was dead.

In the evening the man and his two wives came home from the gardens and called to the child, but he gave no answer. Then with fear in their hearts they searched in many places, but found him not, and his mother sat upon the ground and wept till morning. Then, for she knew what was in the child's mind, she took a canoe and paddled swiftly over the sea in search of her son. Long was the search, and at noon she found the canoe in which the lad had started. She wept much at the sight, and forbore to paddle. Then Lagina, the gentle sea breeze, pitying her, blew on her canoe and carried her to where her son's body lay upon the waters. The woman raised it and kissed the face of her dead son. Then she lifted him into the canoe and covered him with her skirt, and paddled until she reached the shore. Her husband was told what she was bringing, and he rushed down to the beach with his spears that he might kill her. "Thou hast sent my son to his death!" he cried. But her father caught her in his arms, and took her home with him after that the lad's body had been buried.

And that night all slept but the woman whose child was dead. In the early morning, ere the first bird cried to its mate, she arose and went silently