Coienso.—Traditions of the Maoris. 11 
which Tawheta interrupted (from within) by exclaiming, “ Thou thyself! 
thou thyself!’* Then Uenuku said, “‘ Welcome hither! Dids’t thon come 
hither from our children and young people (leaving them well) 2” To this, 
Tawheta replied,—‘‘ They are all there enjoying themselves at their usual 
games of play; spinning tops, flying kites, making cats’ cradles, darting 
reeds, and all manner of games.’’* 
Now it came to pass that, when all those visitors had behdoesl the pa, 
the wounded man, Rongouaroa, had managed, though with great difficulty, 
to get out of the canoe in which he had been hidden, and to craw] a little 
way on to a bush of cutting-grass, where he lay down in the sun. Now 
the food for the visitors having been deposited in the ovens, and covered 
over with stones and earth to be cooked, the women engaged therein went 
outside to gather green leaves of shrubs and flax ( Phormium) and sedges, on 
which to place the food when cooked for their visitors; and so they got to 
the place where Rongouaroa was lying with his smashed head! On seeing 
him, and hearing in a few faint words his tale, they soon went back to the 
pa, and calling Uenuku aside, told him, ‘‘ Master! master! it is all a false 
story (or supposition) ; they are come hither with a different design. The. 
whole of our people have been killed by Tawheta; one only escaped, 
Rongouaroa! They are come to cajole and destroy thee!” On hearing 
this, Uenuku demanded, ‘‘ Where is that survivor?” ‘Oh! there he is, 
lying down outside on the tuft of cutting-grass (toetoe), with his head all 
broken and smashed with a club!” Then Uenuku said, “‘ Fetch him, lead 
him hither into the pa.” So he was fetched; but, first of all, he was led to 
the sacred place (tuaahu) close by, where the charms, and recitals, and all 
proper sacred ceremonies were performed over him, including the feeding 
the demon with his blood, and the hanging-up of his blood in that spot; 
and this was the charm which was recited for him :— 
Provoking irascible sinew, striving (to) kill! 
Hither is come the one (they) sought to murder. 
Verily thy own skilful priests (are here) : 
Thou and I together indeed! (as one). 
Thy wound is sacred ;— 
ad 
. 
Poy ee 
The priest hall the lips of the ds to incline 
inwardly towards each other ; 
Of (or by) the evening, lo! thy wound shall become as nothing! 
The stone axe (which caused it) was verily (as) the strong tide rushing on to 
the shores, and tearing up the beds of shell-fish. 
Striving, provoking sinew! eager after food for (their) baking 
> 
baal 
* This second interjected reply of Tawheta (who was still within the house, and who, 
according to etiquette, had no need then to speak), was, I think, mainly made to amuse 
his own party there with him, 
