their light sleds beneath their arms, they were accosted by a handsome woman who stepped forward and greeted them. Addressing the chief she demanded that he should contest the next course with her instead of with his friend. Vari said in surprise, “What, with a woman?” He was answered “Yes, why not, if she is capable of vanquishing you, and is brave and strong as yourself?” “You can know nothing of the management of the sliding-board,” said the vexed chief. “I know enough to get to the bottom of the hill before you can” said the strange beauty. Vari angrily told her to take the sled of Ahua, and to make good her words; then, the next moment the competitors were dashing down the side of the precipitous descent. Over rocks and clefts they flew, and on arriving at the bottom Vari was ahead by several pace-lengths of his opponent. Vexed with the applause that greeted the victor, the woman silently dared the chief to another trial. They turned and went up the hill again, but when at the summit the stranger said “You won because your holua is better than mine. It is fair to exchange.” “No,” answered Vari, “Why should I change? You are no relation of mine, neither wife nor sister. Let us go!” So saying he flung himsel upon his sled and
