492 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Ina were the wealthiest people in the land of Nukutere, boasting, 

 as the^^ did, of a rich breast ornament, abundance of finely 

 braided hair, beautiful white shells worn on the arms, and, more 

 precious than all these, a gorgeous head-dress, ornamented with 

 scarlet and black feathers, with a frontlet of berries of the 

 brightest red. Early one morning the parents for the first time 

 left their home in the care of Ina, the mother charging her to 

 put these treasures out to air ; but, should the sun be clouded, 

 be sure to take them back into the house. For Ngaetua knew 

 well that in the bright beams of the sun the arch-thief Ngana 

 would not dare to come ; but, if exposed on a lowering cloudy 

 day, the envious foe would not fail to try his luck. In a short 

 time the sun shone brightly, not a cloud could anywhere be seen. 

 The obedient Ina carefully spread out these treasures on a piece 

 of the purest white native cloth. But the arch-foe Ngana was 

 on the watch. Very cautiously did he approach through the 

 neighbouring bushes, in order to get a sight of the much-coveted 

 articles. He forthwith used an incantation, so that the sun 

 became suddenly obscured. Ngana now fearlessly emerged from 

 the thicket, and endeavoured to grab the long-wished-for orna- 

 ments. But Ina was too quick in her movements to permit 

 this. Ngana now, with affected humility, begged permission to 

 admire and try on the various ornaments for her to see how he 

 would look in them. Ina was very loth, but, after great persua- 

 sion, consented that Ngana should put them on inside the house. 

 To prevent the possibility of his taking away any of these 

 treasures, she closed the doors. The crafty Ngana now arrayed 

 himself in these gorgeous adornments, excepting the head-dress, 

 which Ina still held in her hand. Ngana, by his soft words, at 

 length induced her to give that up too. Thus completely arrayed 

 be began to dance with delight, and contrived to make the entire 

 circuit of the house, careering round and round in hope of seeing 

 some loophole through which he might escape with his spoil. 

 At last he espied a little hole at the gable-end a few inches wide, 

 through which at a single bound he took his flight, and for ever 

 disappeared with the treasures. Ina at first had been delighted 

 with the dancing of her visitor, but was in utter despau* as she 

 witnessed his flight, and heard the parting words — 



' Beware of listening to vain words, 

 Ina, the fair and well-meaning.' 



" Not long afterwards the parents of Ina came back in great 

 haste, for they had seen the arch-thief passing swiftly and 

 proudly through the skies, magnificently attired. A fear crept 

 over them that all was not right with their own treasures. They 

 asked the weeping girl the cause of her tears. She said, ' Your 

 choicest possessions are gone.' * But is there nothing left ? ' 

 demanded the parents. ' Nothing whatever,' said the still 

 weeping girl. The enraged mother now broke off" a green cocoa- 



