Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/67

Rh The boy was much perplexed to know what this saying might be, but he held his head high, and answered, "It is no concern of thine. Hold thy peace." Nevertheless, he hasted to the old woman who sat under the cycas palm, and asked, "Dame, who killed my kinsfolk? Tell me, I pray thee."

And the old woman, ever ready to do his will, replied, "The fathers of thy play-mates killed thy kinsfolk, my son."

When the child heard this he ran away from the village and laid a plan how he might avenge the deaths of his people. And at night he returned, and when all slept he closed every doorway, and set fire to the houses, sparing only the one wherein dwelt the old woman who had cared for him. So were all in the village destroyed, and the lad's heart cooled within him, for he had taken vengeance and was content.



is the tale of how Wakeke, the smallest of snakes, fought with Arebo, the King of the Sea, and prevailed.

Arebo was fierce, and black, and great, and for his food ate only betel nut and pepper leaf, with which he took powdered coral lime out of a gourd by means of a long stick. 