Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/95

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MANUBADA'S BRIDE
61

faithful to her, and soon were they married. And no more was Manubada had in remembrance, the faithful bird-lover who had given all his heart to the maiden on the lonely island.


HOW THE TWINS KILLED MANUBADA.

Kototabe and Kelokelo were twin brothers whose father had been killed by Manubada, the great hawk. It came to pass that on a day they played with slings, and made as if to aim at the boys who were their companions. But they said, "Hurt us not, O Kototabe and Kelokeio, but aim at the bird which killed your father."

The boys wondered much what this might mean, and ran home to ask their mother. The widow told them that it was true Manubada had killed their father, but she warned them that none might hope to fight with so great an enemy and yet prevail.

"Nay, mother," answered the children, "but when we are bigger we shall slay him who hath slain our father." The widow trembled much at these daring words, but held her peace.

When Kototabe and Kelokelo were now grown they made ready for the journey to Manubada's eyrie. They took a strong canoe, and loaded it with slings and clubs. Then they gave to their mother a branch of dracaena leaves, and said, "Watch these leaves,