Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/96

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62
PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

mother. When they wave thou mayest dance, but if they droop thou must weep, for we shall indeed be dead."

Then set they forth to search for Manubada. Many times on the way they sent stones whizzing from their slings towards the mountains, but not so did they find Manubada. At last they came to the cliff where on high they could see his eyrie; and they sent a big stone flying towards it. Now Manubada was watching from above, and when he saw how few and feeble were the enemy who had come to attack him his fierce anger was aroused. He opened his broad wings, and soared high above Kototabe and Kelokelo in their little canoe below. Then he began to descend.

The lads watched until he was now close to them. Then they slipped quickly into the water, one on each side of the canoe, and dived. Now Manubada in his wrath came down with such speed that he could not stop, and his mighty beak pierced the wood of the canoe, and made him fast to it. Then did he struggle with much force, and waves lashed and beat against the vessel. But it held firm, and Manubada having prevailed not, must perforce rest, that his strength might return to him.

Then did Kototabe and Kelokelo swim to the canoe, and, still one on each side, broke the wings of their enemy. As Manubada was therefore now without power, the lads slew him speedily with their heavy clubs.