98 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
cave in the rock where this noxious cannibal beast dwelt. At last they got 
up to the cave, where the whole band quietly arranged themselves, and 
took a long time to consider how to act. At length the valiant, fearless 
men arose—men who had already bound monsters fast 
and, seizing the 
ropes, went forward into the cave. There they saw that noxious beast 
sitting, and staring full at them; but, oh! such fearful eyes! Who can 
describe them ? In appearance like the full moon rising up over the 
distant dark mountain range; and when gazed at by the band, those 
hideous eyes glared forth upon them like strong daylight suddenly flashing 
into the dark recesses of the forest. And, anon, lo! they were in colour 
as if clear shining greenstone were gleaming and scintillating in the midst 
of the black eye-balls! But that was really all that gave rise to the 
appearance of fear, because the creature’s spines and crest of living spears 
had become quite flaccid and powerless, through the potent operations of 
the many weakening spells which had been used by those numerous 
warriors, that is to say, priests. 
Then they managed to put forth their hands stealthily over its huge 
head, gently stroking it at the same time. At length the rope was got 
round the monster’s neck and made secure; another rope was also slided 
further on below its fore-legs, and that was firmly fixed; twice did those 
brave men carry ropes into the cave. Having done all this they came out 
to their friends, those of the 170 warriors who had been anxiously waiting 
their return, and who, when they saw them emerge, enquired, “ Are your 
ropes made fast?” They replied, “ Yes; the ropes are fastened to the 
monster; one round the neck and one round the middle.” Then the 
enquiry arose, ** How shall the dragging of it forth from its cave, and its 
destruction, be accomplished ?" "When some of the chiefs replied, ‘ Let us 
carry the ropes outside of the trees which grow around, so that, when the 
monster begins to lash and bound about, we shall be the better able to 
make them fast to their trunks." Then others said, “All that is very 
good, but how shall we manage to kill it?" Some replied, ** Why should 
we trouble ourselves about killing it? Is it not so fastened with ropes that it 
cannot get away? Just leave it to itself; its own great strength will cause 
it to jump violently about, and jerk, and knock, and beat itself; after that, 
we having made the ropes fast to the trees, the destroyers can easily run in 
on it and kill it; or, if not, let us just leave it alone to strangle itself in the 
ropes." So all this was carried out by those 170 brave warriors. 
Then the several men having been all properly placed, so as to hold and 
handle and drag the ropes effectually; the word of command was given, 
* Haul away !" and then they all hauled with a will! But, wonderful to 
behold, entirely owing to the cave being in the face of the perpendicular 
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