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56 back to Gavi, and the dog ran in front, for he also was afraid.

Now it came to pass that when the woman drew near to the village the children came forth to meet her, and cried, "Where are our parents? How is it that thou alone art come?"

Then the woman, not willing to cause them pain, said, "They tarry until they have smoked the fish which they have caught." Then she went into her house and took her great string bag, and forthwith came out to the children once more saying, "Little ones, where are your ornaments and weapons?" But the children cried, "Ah, dame, why dost thou take our things? Leave them with us, we pray thee." But the old woman said, "Nay, little ones, I do but take care of them for you." And she went into each house, and put all things which were precious in her bag, and placed it in her house.

Now the children waited for their parents to return until two nights had past, and then they feared that ill had befallen them, therefore they came to the old woman, saying, "Dame, tell us for what cause our parents have not returned to us these three days."

Then the woman, seeing that the truth could no longer be hid, told them what had befallen their parents and all the people of Gavi. And the children wept sore and would not be comforted for a long time. Then they went to the gardens and brought in food and cooked it and made a death feast, and thus honoured the memory of their kinsfolk. And