of the snakes, sat amongst the others, but was given no portion as were his fellows, for, said they, "He is but small and needs no food." Only Motabawa, the great snake, looking on him, pitied him and wrapped some food in a leaf and passed it to Wakeke when the others saw not the deed.
When the eating was finished, the snakes arose and took wooden swords and launched their canoe, for they were about to fight Arebo. And Wakeke, fearing lest he might be forbidden, coiled himself upon the outrigger. Then did they paddle, and paddle, and paddle, until they floated over the place where dwelt Arebo at the bottom of the sea. And that they might better see him they squeezed coconut milk upon the water and made it calm, and so looked upon Arebo sitting below eating betel nut.
Then one of the snakes took his sword and cast himself into the sea and sought to reach Arebo, that he might cut off his head. But as he was nigh unto him, Arebo rattled his lime spoon against the sides of his gourd and the water bubbled furiously around him, so that the snake was forced upwards and floated upon the sea again, having nothing done.
Then did another try, and yet another, but Arebo ever drove them upwards by the rattling of his gourd, which caused the water to bubble. And now it was the turn of Motabawa. He said to Wakeke, "Now is it my turn to try to kill Arebo. Do thou follow in my wake, and then will he have no time to drive thee upwards."
