Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/89

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THE MEN OF GAVI
57


the old woman cared for them all and they grew and were strong, and after some years they married, and children were born to them, and people were many in Gavi as they had been before Abaia had slain those who fished in the waters of Wapogi. But though they are now thus many, yet must none of them draw near to the shores of the lake or will vengeance fall upon them as it did on their parents of old. And for this cause also do the men of Gavi eat of flesh meat, but never of fish, be their hunger what it may. And they do well, for Abaia is indeed great, and who knoweth the power which lieth in magic?


MANUBADA'S BRIDE.

In the old days there was a girl who was so fair to see that no man cared to look on any other when she was by. Her hair was curly, she was not too tall, and her eyes shone like stars. Her companions envied her, and they determined to rid themselves of her if it were possible. They therefore took counsel together and made a plan. "Let us go fishing," they said, "and then we can leave our rival behind when we return."

They waited for a calm day, and when at last one dawned, they gathered their fishing baskets, took down their nets from where they hung in the house,