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RuA the King went hunting. His son Toka went swimming with other boys but when Rua re- turned from his hunting the young prince was not with his companions. He swam far out with us, but he never came back to shore," the boys said. We fear the Sea-Goblins have taken him, for darkness had fallen."

The King's grief was terrible, for Toka was his only son. His people wailed aloud when they saw the sorrow in his face.

He spoke no word, but, running to a rock that overhung the sea, leapt into the water.

His people cried, Come back but the waves closed over his head. Alive or dead, his son should be found if he searched the whole foundation of the sea.

The King had one magic gift-the power to breathe beneath the water. He could not drown he would never rise to the surface again till he had found his son.

At the bottom of the sea it was so dark that many times he stumbled. But, in spite of diffi- culties and dangers, he went bravely on all night, through the deep hollows and over the wavebeaten hills.

With the morning he came out to a strange land. Before him stretched a wide, bright plain, lit up by sunbeams. In the middle of the watery plain stood a great carved house. The Goblins' house thought Rua.

It was the Goblins' house. Drawing nearer, Rua saw with wonder the beauty of the carving on the front of it. He raised his eyes to the orna- ment over the doorway, and his heart stood still with horror. It was Toka, his beautiful son, turned to wood by the heartless Goblins and set up as an ornament for their house. For this they had stolen him from his companions.

The King rushed into the house, but no one was there. Coming out, he met an old woman. Where are the Goblins he asked her.

"Far away in the deepest caves of ocean," she replied. But who are you that you dare to come to the Goblins' house ?

"I am Rua the King. They have killed my son and set him over their doorway. Point out the track that I may follow them and be avenged on them for his death."

The old woman's eyes shone with joy."At last one has come to destroy these wicked beings ! she said. Stay here. I will tell you of a plan, and do all in my power to help you. I, too, come from your land. The Goblins killed my husband, but me they kept as doorkeeper for their house. I wept over your beautiful boy when they brought him down. But I am old and frail. I cannot save my people from their cruel hands."

"Help me to save them. Tell me the plan," said Rua.

"Listen, then," she said. These Goblins can. not bear the light of day. Sunlight falling on them kills them instantly. All the daylight hours they spend in the darkest ocean caves. When night comes they return to this house to eat and sleep. I keep the door, to waken them with the first lightening of dawn, that they may leave the house before the sunlight enters."

"The plan ! Tell me the plan," begged Rua. “I come to it,”said the woman.“In the roof are many crevices through which the daylight streams. You, being strong, can climb upon the roof and fill the crevices so as to shut out all the light. While they sleep we shall also block the door and windows and every crack around them. Then, when morning comes, the house will be dark. The Goblins will think it is still night and will sleep on. When the sun is up we shall open the door, and the sunlight will kill them." "The plan is good,"said Rua."Let us begin at once."

They gathered weed. Climbing to the roof of the house, Rua filled the crevices till no beam of light could enter from the chinks. Then round the walls he went, till every crack was filled. That is well done," said the old woman. "Hide now. The sun is sinking fast my cruel masters will soon come home."

Rua hid. In silence they waited for the return of the Goblins. The sun sank and night fell. Chattering, pushing, quarrelling, the ugly Gob- lins came home in droves. They fed and quar- relled and lay down to sleep. Only Rua and the woman were left outside. Soon all was still. Rua crept softly to where the woman sat. To- gether they blocked the door and windows till no ray of light could enter. Then patiently they waited for the dawn.

The night seemed as if it would never end but at last the first faint streaks of daylight came. The watchers smiled, well pleased. Brighter and brighter grew the light, but still the Goblins slept, for in the house hung heavy darkness.

One of the Goblins woke. The night is long. Is it not morning yet he cried.

Sleep on Sleep on called the old woman. The Gcblins slept again. At intervals they stirred and called, but every time the woman called, Sleep on !

When the sun was high in the sky, and the sunshine beat upon the roof, the woman said: "Let in the light !

She flung open the door, while Rua tore away the coverings from the cracks and windows. The sunlight streamed into the house and fell on the Goblins. Mad with fear, they tried to rush out- side, but they fell dead over the doorway as the light struck on them. Not one was left alive.  That was well done," said the woman.«The world is rid of a cruel pest."

"I will burn the house," said Rua. No evil things shall live in it again. First I will lift down my son. He shall be carried home."

With sorrowful tenderness he lifted down the little wooden statue, laying it gently on the ground. He took down several pieces of the marvellous carving also to show his friends. Then he fired the house.

As he stood beside the woman, watching the burning of the house, some one moved behind him. Turning, he looked. Toka, no longer a wooden statue, rose to his feet a living boy

The magic spell cast on him by the Goblins had died with the burning of the house. With a cry of gladness he sprang into his father's arms. The King held him close, whispering, My son My son !

The old woman nodded and smiled at their joy. "Let us go home," she said. Then they remem- bered her and thanked her for her help.

They returned to the shore, carrying the carv- ings with them. Rua's friends made a great feast, rejoicing in the safety of their King and Prince.

To this day the carvings that the people make with tools of stone are patterned on the pieces brought by Rua from the Goblins'house.