Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/36

16 But the men of Qamana would not suffer him to abide in their village, because his body was covered with noisome sores. Therefore, as the rain was heavy, he sought shelter in a cave, where he dwelt alone. And after not many days he called a child to him, who abode with him in the cave and dressed his sores, and cooked his food. So it was that his sores were healed and strength came back to him.

Now it came to pass that, as he and the boy sat together in the cave, they heard the voice of a drum in the village. Then said Dabedabe to the child, "What meaneth the voice of the drum which I hear?"

"The men of Qamana are dancing because of the feast they are about to make," answered the child.

Then said Dabedabe, "On what are they going to feast?"

"On men," quoth the boy, "and the name of the feast is 'Walaga'."

Dabedabe's heart grew hot within him at this word, and he rose up, and bade the lad guard his bag while he was gone. Then he went into the village and sought for the giver of the feast. Not at once did he see him, but at last he found him standing by a long row of poles on which burdens were strapped. Dabedabe looked down upon the poles which lay upon the earth, and he said to the giver of the feast, "Friend, what burdens are these which I see strapped upon the poles?"

The man answered, "These are men which we are about to cut up for the feast."