198 A MISSION TO VITI. 



along. ' It will never do to be at once discovered/ he 

 said to himself ; ( I must disguise myself. But what 

 shape shall I assume 1 That of a hog or a dog I As a 

 hog, I should not be allowed to come near the door ; 

 and, as a dog, I should have to fetch the bones thrown 

 outside. Neither will answer my purpose. I shall 

 therefore assume the shape of a woman.' Continuing 

 his walk along the beach, he met an old woman, carrying 

 a basket of taro and puddings, ready cooked, and, with- 

 out letting her be at all aware of it, he exchanged figures 

 with her. He then inquired whither she was going, 

 and, being informed to the house of the God of Rewa, 

 he took the basket from her, and, leaving club and spear 

 on the beach, proceeded to his destination. His disguise 

 was so complete, that even his own daughter did not re- 

 cognise him. 4 Who is that V she asked, as he was about 

 to enter. ' It is I,' replied Rokoua, in a feigned voice ; 

 4 1 have come from Monisa with food.' ' Come in, old 

 lady,' said Naiogabui, 4 and sit down.' Rokoua accord- 

 ingly entered, and took care to sit like a Fijian woman 

 would do, so that his disguise might not be discovered. 

 ' Are you going back to-night V he was asked. ' No,' 

 the disguised god replied ; ' there is no occasion for that.' 

 Finding it very close in the house, Rokoua proposed a 

 walk and a bath, to which both Naiogabui and Naimila- 

 mila agreed. When getting the women to that spot of 

 the beach where club and spear had been left, he threw 

 off his disguise, and exclaimed, 4 You little knew who I 

 was ; I am Rokoua, your lord and master,' and, at the 

 same time taking hold of their hands, he dragged the 

 runaways to the canoe, and departed homewards. 



