WoHLERS. — Mythology and Traditions of the Maori. 19 



yet, if you are determined to go, mind with whom you may meet on the way. 

 If you meet with women who talk much and behave in a rude way, have 

 nothing to do with them j they are some of Tangaroa's descendants. But if 

 you meet with women who walk quietly and behave modestly, they are of 

 your own nation, and you may make friends with them." 



After these instructions the ascent began. Tawhaki remembered the 

 prayer his sister had taught him, and said it; but Karihi forgot to say his 

 prayer. Karihi climbed before, and Tawhaki after him. When they were a 

 little way up the wind began to blow, and swung them, first to one side of the 

 heaven; then the wind changed, and swung them to the other side. Karihi 

 could hold on no longer; he fell down and was killed, and afterwards eaten by 

 Whaitiri. Tawhaki came down so far as to see the fate of his brother, and 

 then climbed up again till he reached a land in the sky. 



The first person he met was Tuna (eel), who came down from places (or 

 descended from persons; it is not clear), the names of which denote shining 

 phenomena and lightning. Might that allude to electric fishes in some waters 

 of hot climates'? Kawa (bitter, as pepper) and Maraenui (great courtyard or 

 sacred enclosure) were hanging over Tuna's forehead, like veils. Probably 

 there is some allegory in this, but I do not know the meaning of it. Tawhaki 

 asked Tuna : " What are you coming down for ?" Tuna answered : ^'The above 

 is burned up, is hard and dry, there is no water." 



After that he met a company of women ; but, as they talked much and 

 were not modest in their behavour, he remembered that he had been warned 

 against them, so he kept out of their way. Soon after, he met another 

 company of women, different from the former; they did not talk much, and 

 behaved modestly ; with them he made friends, and stayed at their place. 

 One of these women, named Hine-nui-o-te-kawa (Great Maid of Pepper) took 

 a fancy to Tawhaki. She was the wife of Paikea (a species of whales). 

 Paikea did not like that, and when they were sitting and talking, Paikea 

 grinned at Tawhaki, and Tawhaki grinned at Paikea. The end of it was, that 

 the woman left Paikea and become Tawhaki's wife. 



When Tawhaki had lived a good while with his wife, and she was far 

 advanced in pregnancy, it happened one day that they were short of firewood ; 

 and when the dependents were in a lazy mood, and would not get up to fetch 

 some, Tawhaki went himself and brought home a large long piece. From 

 this occasion, the child, which was born not long after, was named Wahie-roa 

 (a long piece of firewood) — It is still sometimes the custom of the Maori that, 

 when an ofiTence is taken, a name corresponding to the vexation is given to a 

 child. Wahieroa will be the next link in the generation. 



After this the tale about Tawhaki becomes hazy, and I cannot find much 



