134 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



it out of a guggling calabash into the palm of the chief's hand, held 

 beneath his under-lip, — no doubt it was a ticklish matter to give drink to 

 all, sitting closely together, without wetting their scanty clothing. And so, 

 this story, or saying, Avas invented to ease the poor slave ! 



Here is another, and a good one, having the same meaning : — 



132. Tineia te ahi ! auahi tahi! 



Put out the fire ! there's nothing but smoke ! 

 A sentence, or exclamation, oftsri made, as I have too painfully 

 experienced in their close houses without a chimney ! But, again, let us 

 have the whole story : — 



Tineia te ahi ! auaJii tahi ! Ha ! he au uta ! Kapaa, ko te au ki Katikati, ae. 

 Put out the fire ! there's nothing but smoke ! Exactly so ! but it is 

 smoke on land ! If now, it were the whirling currents at Kati- 

 kati, — then, indeed, you would have something to complain of. 

 One of the pecuharities of this sentence is the play upon words, which is 

 lost in the translation. The same word (au) is used for smoke as for a 

 strong current or rapid ; it is also used for the gall of the hver of any 

 animal ; and frequently for anything very bitter. Ergo ; Just as smoke is 

 to the eyes, so is gall to the taste, and strong fear or dread to the heart, or 

 inner feelings. Moreover, the name of the place with the fearful rapids is 

 Katikati = to bite sharply and quickly ; to sting hke nettles, thorns, etc. ; 

 to draw and pain, as a blister, mustard-plaster, or living "Portuguese man- 

 of-war " — one of the stinging Medusce. 



133. Ka uia tonutia e koe, ka roa tonute ara ; ka kore koe eidui, kapoto te ara. 



If (the length of the road) be continually enquired after by thee, 

 then it will prove very long ; but if thou wilt not keep asking, 

 then it will be short. 

 This speaks for itself. It is just the same with us. 



134. Pipitori nga kanohi ; koko taia nga waewae ; whenua i mamao, tenet rawa. 



With sharp bird's eyes and quick moving feet, land at a distance will 

 soon be gained. 

 Similar in meaning to the last — a word of comfort to young, or new 

 travellers. 



135. Imua, ata haere ; i muri, whatiivhati luaewae. 



Those who leave early on a journey travel leisurely ; those who leave 

 late, and have to overtake the others, hurt their feet. 

 Lit. Foremost, travel gently ; hindmost, break legs. 



136. Kia noho i taku kotore ; kia ngenge te pakihiiui. 



Be thou sitting behind my back [lit., anus), and let thy shoulder 

 become weary. 

 A saying for paddling in a canoe. 

 Meaning: All work has unpleasantnesses. "No gains without pains." 



