Page:Fairytales•Tregear•1891.pdf/44

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38
THE GREAT SWING.

inhabitants told him that Pare was in the village but would not see or speak to any other spirit. Hutu wanted to talk to her, so he induced the people to play at sports of whipping tops and throwing darts. They played at these games for a long time, but Pare did not appear. Hutu was very disappointed and sad at heart but he resolved to make one more attempt, so he got the people to bring a great tree and cut the branches off; then the tree was planted firmly in the earth. He plaited long ropes, which he fastened to the top of the tree; then he ordered that the ropes should be hauled on by the crowd till the tree was bent like a bow. Hutu got on to the bent end with another man; the ropes were suddenly let go and the two men went flying through the air with a mighty bound. The people approved of this new game and shouted applause; more of them gathered together till all the spirits in that part of the under-world had assembled and joined in the sport. After a little time the fame of this new kind of swing reached Pare and she was enticed forth to see it for herself. She looked on awhile and then said to Hutu, “Let me also swing, but let me sit close beside you and hold you firmly.” Hutu consented, glad to have her back again, and said, “Take tight hold round