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新西兰

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A MAN named Pou was caught in a storm and driven in his canoe far out to sea. He was alone; his single strength was not great enough to force the canoe back to land. The storm continued for several days, driving him further every hour from his home. Half-dead with cold and hunger and terror at his helpless drifting, he was flung up at last on a little island. Here he was found by some of the inhabitants, who took him to the king.

The king treated him generously, providing him for many months with food and clothing, and giving him a home in his great house. But Pou longed always for his old home and his wife. His thoughts of them kept him most unhappy. Why are you sad the king asked at length.

"I think of my wife and wish for her night and day," replied the man.

If that is so you shall return to her."

"I have longed to do so ; but you have no boats strong enough to cross that great stretch of sea, nor could I ask your men to risk the dangers of the voyage."

"True," replied the king ; " but I have a bird which will carry you across."

"A bird!"

He is never shown to strangers, therefore you have not seen him,"said the king. "Promise to step off his back the moment he shakes himself, and I will lend him to you for your journey home."

"But if he should shake himself above the sea?"

"He will not do that." "Then I promise gladly."

The king gave a loud call. From the distance the Great Bird of the Hills flew towards them. So large he was that a man could sit on his back and be no burden.

"He will bear you across the sea and safely."

"The Great Bird of the Hills 2rg past the fierce goblin of your mountains," said the king. "You must pass the goblin at the time of sunset. Once past him, the Bird will shake his wings. You must at once descend from his back, that he may return to me while the goblin is still dazzled by the sun."

Pou promised to do exactly as the king commanded. Two baskets of food were brought to him at the king's orders. Taking grateful fare- well of the kindly monarch, he seated himself on the Great Bird's back and was borne high into the air above the sea.

The strange voyage lasted for several days. Each night they rested on rocks whose heads stood out above the sea. Pou's baskets of food stood him in good stead. The bird fished from the rocks.

At last they came in sight of Pou's own land. At the edge of the land stood the mountain where the goblin lived.
The Great Bird hovered in the air, waiting for the time of sunset. When it came the sun's rays shone full in the eyes of the seaward-gazing goblin, dazzling him. Then the Great Bird flew swiftly past, carrying Pou to safety. The goblin heard the stroke of the mighty wings, but his eyes were blinded.

Once safely past, the Great Bird shook himself, desiring to return while still the sun shone in the goblin's eyes. But Pou, eager to reach his home, forgot his promise to the king, took no thought of the bird's danger. "A little fur- ther! he said. «Bear me a little further!" The bird flew on, then shook himself again. Further yet," said the selfish Pou. He forced the bird to carry him to his home.

Carried to his very door, Pou stepped down to the joyful welcome that awaited him the Great Bird turned and flew with lightning swiftness for his home, hoping yet to be in time to pass the mountain safely.

Alas he was too late. The sun had sunk; the goblin could see again. He threw a net over the Great Bird, dragged him to his mountain, killed him and ate him.

Away in his island the king waited for the Great Birdto come back. Weeks passed."Something must have happened," said the king.

The great Bird of the Hills 22r message came from the wind The Great Bird of the Hills is dead. The goblin of the mountains killed him."

Grief and anger filled the heart of the king. Who will bring this murderous goblin here that I may punish him ? he cried.

The bravest of his warriors rose. “I will bring the goblin or die in the attempt," he said.

The king called up a sea-monster. The warrior stood on its back and was carried across the sea to the land of Pou.

When we reach the land I shall step ashore," said the warrior to the monster. Wait for my return." As the land drew near he chanted spells to protect himself against the goblin's power.

When he sprang to land and climbed the mountain-side it was night. A red light shone from the open doorway of the goblin's house. The warrior looked in. The goblin's friends made merry with him in his house.

"They are alike. How shall I know which is the goblin I have come to seek ? the warrior wondered silently.

He remembered suddenly that he had once heard of the strange overlapping teeth of the goblin of the mountains. “ When he opens his mouth to talk I shall know him," he thought. He entered boldly. Surprised, the goblins tried their magic powers on him, but his spells had made him proof against them. He talked, and made them talk, but he could not discover the overlapping teeth.

"I must make them laugh," he thought. He told them funny stories, till they all laughed and the overlapping teeth gleamed out. It is done ! said the warrior to himself. He sang a soft-toned charm that sent them instantly to sleep.

Standing over the goblin of the mountains, he sang a second charm to make his sleep so deep that no movement would waken him. Then he searched for a big basket, packed the helpless goblin in it, and carried him down the mountain to the sea.

The sea-monster awaited him. Stepping on its back with his sleeping burden, the warrior gave command to return. The goblin did not.

The Great Bird of the Hills 223 waken till the sea was crossed and the basket opened before the king.

There he was put to death for his cruel deeds. The brave warrior was rewarded by the king as his courage deserved. But never again would the Great Bird fly over the hills at his master's call.