Page:Neuroomia.djvu/106

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94
NEUROOMIA: A NEW CONTINENT.

houses and boats, make clothes for themselves from various plants, and to turn over the soil and sow the seed. He counselled them not to injure one another; this he considered to be the foundation of all his teaching. They were to sympathise with, and endeavour to assist, each other always. He advised them not to quarrel over the land, which belonged to them all. He predicted that in future ages those great forests would disappear, and that the land would contain only one great and prosperous people. During the long period he was with them time did not in any way change his handsome face and form, and as he loved a beautiful maiden of the tribe, it was thought probable that he would always remain to advise and comfort them. But the maid he loved was carried off by one of the great monsters of the forest, and never returned. It was believed that she had not been slain, but had become an inhabitant of the wilds, and at long intervals of time used to meet her mysterious lover.

"Time wore on, and the Reni became wise, prosperous, and numerous; they made longer voyages along their coasts, reached many of the islands, and invited from the neighbouring tribes chiefs and others who saw the happy condition of the