Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/146

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104
PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

Tauribolena, and begged them to put him for ever out of their way.

"Rest in peace, sisters," answered one of the men.

"We go on the morrow to the fields to mow the long grass, and Tauribolena shall not escape our scythes."

On the morrow, the brothers asked Tauribolena if he would go with them. He was willing, and soon the brothers were slashing with their wooden scythes, nigh to where Tauribolena stood. Swish! swish! went the scythes, but each time Tauribolena leaped aside, else would his legs have been broken. The mowers soon wearied of their fruitless task, and returned to the house, Tauribolena with them. Then they made another plan, which they determined to carry out in the morning.

When the sun rose, the men said to their brotherin-law, "We go a hunting; wilt thou come with us?"

Then Tauribolena said that if they would lend him spears, he was fain to go with them. The brothers therefore took down a handful of spears from the dadabi, the rack over the fire, and gave them to Tauribolena. Then one took a burning coal and laid it in a piece of coconut husk, and, whistling to the dogs, they all set forth.

The way to the hunting ground was long, but it was reached at last. Then the three went each his way, and made ready to watch the long grass, which would ere long be burning, and out of which they hoped many beasts would rush.