Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/116

 90 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. a man, who, though between the forceps, received no injury. A bold fellow who climbed the monster's shell was not so fortunate, being dashed to pieces by a back-stroke from one of its limbs. The following story, which is the basis of a very popular meke, will give some idea of the general character of such compositions, and also illustrate Fijian customs. Nai Thombothombo, it is said, is a land of gods, among whom a few human beings are allowed, by privi- lege, to reside. One of the gods, Rokoua, gave his sister in marriage to another divinity, named Okova. The match was one of unusual happiness ; but, in confirmation of the adage, " The course of true love never did run smooth," Okova had shortly to mourn the loss of his wife, and that under circumstances of peculiar distress. The lady had accompanied her lord to the reef on a fishing excursion, when she was seized by a vast bird, surpassing the Rok of the Arabian tale, and carried away under its wing. The bird which thus took Tutuwathi- wathi, is known to some as Nga-ni-vatu, " Duck of the r. ck," and to others as Ngutulei. Okova hastened, in an agony of distress, to his brcther-in-law Eokoua, and, presenting a root of yaqona, besought his assistance. They set off in a large canoe in pursuit of the lady, and, on their way, came to an island inhabited by goddesses, where, says the song, " there existed no man, but they while away their time in sports." Eokoua thought to make this their journey's end, saying to Okova, " Let us not sail further in search of Tutuwathiwathi : here is a land of superior ladies, and abounding in precious cowries." But these had no charms for the faithful and disconsolate husband, who replied, " Nay, Rokoua, not so ; let us seek Tutuwathiwathi only." Arriving at the Yasawas, the brothers inquired where the Duck-of-the- rock could be found, and were directed to Sawailau, but did not find the bird in its cave. On looking around, they perceived one of Tutu- wathiwathi's little fingers, which Okova took as a precious relic, rightly concluding that his wife had been devoured. Having rested awhile, the two gods saw the devourer appr aching ; " for his fog-like shade shut out the face of the sun." In his beak he carried five large turtles, and in his talons ten porpoises, which, on reaching the cave, he began to eat, without regarding thj intruders. Rokoua proposed to spear the monster, but, Okova entreated him to pause while he prayed to three other gods to aid them by causing the wind to blow. The prayer was heard, and a wind blowing into the cave spread out the bird's tail : R koua seized the opportunity, and struck his spear through its vitals. The spear, though very long, was entirely hidden in the body of the bird. It was now proposed to make a new sail of