116 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
- evening there was an assembly of pleasant company. Then every one of 
the brothers made himself agreeable to a female partner, and every one of 
them asked his partner quietly to tell him which of them was the renowned 
Rorongarahia. The answer to every one was:—‘ Tell no one. I myself 
am Te Rorongarahia.’’ §o, every brother believing he had won the affec- 
tion of the most renowned lady, kept the secret. But they were all 
deceived. The beautiful Roronga was a modest girl, and did not mix with 
the rude young folks. She was quietly staying at home, with her waiting 
maid, in her own private house. 
When Ruruteina had finished carrying the luggage he went to fetch 
some water, and, seeing some children playing at spinning tops, he asked 
them to show him the road to the well. ‘ There,”’ they said, ‘ that road, 
passing close by the house of Te Roronga.’”’ “ §o,” he said, “is that the 
house of Te Roronga?” ‘Yes.’ Now, in the evening, while his brothers 
were amusing themselves in the village house, Ruru paid his visit to Te 
Roronga. He was kindly received and friendly entertained by that beautiful 
lady. However, he left by time, and when, later in the night, his brothers 
came home to the store-house, which was their temporary lodging, they found 
him sleeping on the luggage. This went on for several days and evenings. 
One day he heard his brothers say that next morning they were to start for 
home before daybreak. Now, by this time, Ruru and Te Roronga had 
already fallen desperately in love with each other, and she had consented to 
go with him. So, in the evening, while his brothers were amusing them- 
selves with their partners in the village house, Ruru conducted his lady- 
love and her handmaid into his private cabin in the canoe, and then went 
and laid down on the luggage, where his brothers found him when they 
came home. Then their things were carried on board, and a little before 
day-break, when they embarked, it was found that every one of the elder 
brothers had a female companion. All got on board, and then sailed away ; 
ho one suspecting Ruru of having ladies hidden on board. 
On their voyage home, they had to land at a certain place to wait for a 
change of wind. They went ashore and tried to get fire, but could not 
succeed. However, a smoke was seen at some distance, and Ruru was told 
to go there and fetch fire. He did not want to go, fearing some one might 
open his cabin; but they made him go. Now, at the place where the 
smoke had been seen there lived a great lady, whose name was Te Ngarara- 
huarau. When Ruru came to her house, he saw her two maid-servants, 
called Kioreti and Kioreta. The lady heard them talking and asked, ‘* Who 
is there?” “ Ruru,” answered the servants. “ What is he come for ?”’ 
“To fetch fire?’ ‘Let him stay for the meal,” called the lady. So, 
when the meal was served, the lady herself made her appearance. Ruru was 
