Hino , the Apostate. 351 
own, she, sobbing heavily, led them away 
home. 
But that which Matara had told her was true, 
for Tati’s heart was indeed poisoned against his 
wife, and he was filled with fear that his heathen 
gods would destroy him utterly unless the new 
faith to which Hino-riri clung was not rooted 
up and cast away. 
When Hino returned, all the people of Vahi- 
tahi were gathered together on the place where 
Tati’s great house had stood, and there was 
much clamour of men’s and women’s voices as 
she and the children drew near ; then fell a 
sudden silence when she came in their midst. 
In the centre of the throng of people was a 
cleared space, covered with mats, and upon this 
sat Tati with his face bent upon his chest and 
his long, grey hair falling down over his naked 
tattooed shoulders, so that it touched the mat. 
No one spoke as Hino-riri and Aimata the 
girl, and Tairoa the boy, walked slowly through 
the people and sat down in the open space near 
the chief. 
Presently there sounded a great hum and mur¬ 
mur of voices, and Matara, dressed as a priest 
when making a sacrifice, came slowly through 
