TiiE CAROLINE ISLANDS. 201 



The workmen now continued with the build- 

 ing, and dug deep holes in the ground to erect 

 the posts. This appeared a fortunate opportunity 

 for those who intended to kill Olifat, on account 

 of the much mischief which he caused. Olifat, 

 however, Was acquainted with their intention, and 

 concealed about him some dyed earth, coals, and 

 the rib of a palm-leaf. He now digged in the hole, 

 and made a side opening to hide himself in it. 

 But they imagined that it was now time, threw 

 the post in, and mould round its foot, and thought 

 to squeeze him to death. But he took refuge in 

 the side opening, spit out the dyed earth, and 

 they thought it was his blood : he spit out the 

 coals, and they thought it was his gall. They now 

 imagined that he was dead. With the assistance 

 of the rib of the cacoa-leafi Olifat made his way 

 through the middle of the post and escaped. He 

 laid himself as a beam directly across the post 

 from which he had come, and was not perceived. 

 When the day's work was over, the workmen sat 

 themselves down to their meal. Olifat sent an ant 

 to fetcli him a piece of cocoa : the ant brought 

 him as rnuch as it was able. By his power he en- 

 larged it to a whole nut. He then cried aloud : 

 ** Take care below, I am going to break my cocoa- 

 nut." They recognized him by this exclamation, 

 and were much astonished that he was alive. 

 They considered him to be Alus, the evil spirit. * 



* Nombre que dan al Diablo. 



