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44 Now Wakeke had no sword as had the others, yet he feared not, and dived as Motabawa was sinking below the sea. Now as Motabawa was forced upwards by the great bubbles of water, Wakeke seized his friend's sword as he rose, and rushed upon Arebo and cut off his head. Nor did he then leave him, for he cut open his body and sought for his liver, which he held in his mouth as he rose. And as he floated on the water he sang his spell,—

Then were the snakes confounded when they saw what so small a one as Wakeke had done, and they said nothing, but took up their paddles and set out for home, while Wakeke sat upon the canoe as a great chief. It came to pass that as they landed Kokoko, a small fish, saw the liver of Arebo in the mouth of Wakeke and he hasted to tell Matamera, the great fish, what evil fate had befallen Arebo. When Matamera heard he was wroth and called all the fish together to help him take vengeance for the death of Arebo. And when they were come to the shore and knew that Wakeke had already landed, they were not sad, for in those days fish were as well on land as in the sea. Therefore they went forward and would have been soon the conquerors. But Wakeke, who was wise as well as strong, had called to Toda, the bower bird, as he passed, saying, ' Friend, Matamera will by and by pass this way,