Hino, the Apostate. 
357 
Sometimes the people would see her wandering 
to and fro on the beaches at night-time, but 
none spoke to her. Once, indeed, did Matara 
come to her, but she fled and hid herself from 
him. 
One night, as the boy Tairoa lay sleeping 
beside his father, she crept up to him, and 
took him up quickly but softly in her arms, 
and no one awoke, though many besides Tati 
slept in the house, for since Aimata had been 
slain Tati loved his son more than ever, and 
always held him in his arms when he slept; and 
so she feared greatly to awaken the boy’s father. 
Out to the beach she fled, towards the reef. 
The tide was low, and the water shallow. The 
splashing of her feet awoke the boy, who asked 
whither she was taking him. 
“ But a little way, my son, my heart,” she 
whispered ; and the boy was content, for he was 
pleased to hear his mother’s voice. There were 
some women night-fishing on a part of the reef 
within hearing, and these said afterward that 
they heard a woman’s laughter many times, and 
saw a figure of a woman carrying something in 
her arms going out towards the reef. 
“ ’Tis the laugh of Hino-riri,” said one; 
