Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/62

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PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

ing. It is but the kabaku singing ere it sleeps." And they made as if to go on. But Rekota called again,—

"Kakukaku ma Taureboga.
Novumi Rekota;
Matagei roboi."

And this time they knew it was the voice of Rekota, and waited for her to come to them, and Taureboga took the child into his arms and nursed it.

Rekota said to her brothers, "Whither go ye?" for she was much afraid when she saw the spears.

"We go to seek death, sister," answered Kakukaku, sadly.

"Then will I go also," quoth Rekota, and all went on together until they came to a large village. But though houses were many, men there were none. In the shade of a cycas palm sat an old woman, and round her played little children. Kakukaku asked them what had befallen the village that no men remained in it.

"Our fathers are working in the gardens," said the children.

"Go then," said the brothers, "and tell them that Kakukaku and Taureboga and their sister are here, and have brought war!"

The children did as they were told, but on the path lay a fallen tree, and as they stepped over it the message they bore faded from their minds. "Why go we to the gardens?" asked one child, and none that were with him could give answer. "Let us go