Wonters.— Mythology and Traditions of the Maori. 119 
When the log of wood, with the children in it, drifted to the fishing-ground 
of their father, it was seen by some men in a canoe ; but when they tried 
to lift it out of the water, the children prayed that it might be too heavy. 
The men found it so, and let it drive. Soon after it drifted against the 
canoe of their own father. Then they prayed that it might be light, and 
the father lifted it into his canoe with ease. When the canoe was filled with 
fishes, they paddled home, and then Rona told his eldest daughter to carry 
up that log of wood. She did so, and put it by the whata, where they hung 
up the fish. Next day the girl was sitting outside, weaving a coarse grass- 
mat, and then heard a plaintive singing. Listening, she heard the follow- 
ing words :—‘‘ The moon is slow to rise. We shall be killed by our mother. 
The moon is slow to rise. We shall be killed by our father.’ Then the 
girl went and called her father, who came and heard the same wailing. 
Now it happened that a fire broke out—if by accident, or wilfully by Rona, 
I do not know—and everything was burnt up. ~ 
After this, Rona, in his trouble, tried to fasten himself to the sun; but 
he found it too hot; then he fastened himself to the moon, and there he 
remained eating the moon. When he has eaten her up, then he waits till 
she is grown full again, and then he eats her up again. 
—The Adventures of Paowa, 
The first part of Pe following tale would have read better two hundred 
years ago, because it is a cruel witch story; but the second part is more 
pleasant. 
Paowa, on a voyage in his canoe, landed at some distant place where 
there lived an old witch. Her name was Te Ruahine-mata-maori (the old 
woman with a Maori face). She made the strangers a meal of small kumeras ; 
perhaps, it was for that, she was also called the Ruahine-kai-piha. After 
the meal, the strangers asked for some fresh water to drink, and when she 
went to fetch some, Paowa bewitched her. So, when she came to the well, 
she found it dry—at least so to her appearance. Then she went to another 
place for water ; but found that also, or appeared to be, dried up. Then 
she wandered about over hill and dale, seeking water, but found all the 
springs dry. Meanwhile Paowa set fire to her place, and then sailed away. 
When the old woman looked round toward her place, she saw it all in a 
blaze. Then she sung :— 
‘* Let my house be burned ; but let my store remain. 
Let my place of enchantment be burned ; but let my cellar remain. 
Let my garden be burned; but let my fences remain. 
Let my dirt-pots be burned; but let my dogs remain.” 
When she came back she found her place burned down, and Paowa and his 
