KAPIKOA, THE BLACK COCKATOO.
In the old days, Kapikoa, the black cockatoo, was a very great chief. His servants were many, but he treated them evilly, for when he ate betel nut he gave them only the husk, and kept the substance for himself.
One day he said to his servants, "Get ready my canoe, for J wish to travel to the west." So they made all ready, and went on board, they and their master, and paddled a long way, and at last they landed.
Now the servants had made a plot among themselves to rid them of their greedy master. They said, "Let us go away, and leave him alone, where he will have no one to take his betel husk."
So they went to Kapikoa, and said, "Lord, we would ask thee a boon. Wilt thou remain by the canoe whilst we go to drink water?" Then said he, "Ye may go." They therefore followed up the stream, and made its waters dark by stirring up the mud as they went. But when they got higher they drank fair water at the source.
Now when they had thus done they went back to Kapikoa and said, "Let us now remain by the canoe, lord, whilst thou drinkest." Kapikoa was athirst, therefore he did as his servants had said.
97
