As no one would undertake to compose an atheistic dirge for the angry mourner, Koronêu made his own. It was performed successfully amongst the other more regular dirges for Atiroa.

THE FIRST MURDER AND THE FIRST BATTLE.

The earlier part of the reign of Rangi was "the golden age" of these people. Children grew up to maturity; men became aged their limbs tottering, their backs curved, and their teeth. dropping out, so that they were fed again with the expressed juice of the cocoa-nut, poured into the mouth by means of the leaf of the tiere, or gardenia-still, Death had not made its appear

1 In Latin, pedite.

ance; and of course war, famine, sickness, and pain were unknown.

But this happy state of things did not last. Even during the lifetime of the famous Rangi a mighty change took place.

There lived in those days a famous man named Matoetoeā. Many had tried to kill him; but in vain. For as soon as the arms of an adversary were uplifted to strike him, a violent shivering and trembling would seize the limbs of the would-be murderer, so that the weapon would fall to the ground and Matoetoeã escape unharmed. Hence the saying in daily use, when any one shivers and his skin becomes rough in consequence, "he has been smitten by Matoetoeā" (te kiri o Matoetoeā).

There lived in spirit-land (Avaiki) a "brave," named Tukaitaua,1 ever ready to perform the behests of Rongo. Hearing of the marvellous power possessed by Matoetoea, he longed to measure his own strength with one of earth. With this view he came up to this upper world and searched over the island for his foe until he found him. For the first time Matoetoea's power of selfdefence was at fault, and he easily fell under the blows of the redoubtable Tukaitaua. Ngake and Akuru were also slain by this 'brave; in all, three persons were murdered successively on one night by Tukaitaua-one from each of the three primitive tribes.

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Thus death entered into the world (Mangaia). Matoetoeā was the first to die a violent death, as Veêtini afterwards was the first to die a natural one. Rangi was much grieved at this violent breach, now first made, in his hitherto peaceful domain. sought everywhere for the unknown murderer; but to no purpose. He therefore descended to (Avaiki) nether-land, to pay a visit to his grandfather Rongo, as the only possible way of discovering

1

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'He whose delight it is to fight" (tu:

=

= stand; kai=eat; tau= battle.)

the murderer. Upon entering the presence of the great Rongo, he found Matoetoea there, his head and face all covered with blood. Rongo asked Rangi what he had come for. Rangi replied, "To ascertain who murdered Matoetoea." The war-god now inquired, “Have you not seen any new face in the upper world?" "I have," replied Rangi. "He is the murderer,” re

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joined Rongo.

Rangi, now thirsting for revenge, asked how he, a mortal, could kill Tukaitaua. Rongo said, "Go back to daylight ;' you cannot conquer Tukaitaua. I will send some one to punish him.” Upon this the king left the shades and returned to his old home in this upper world of light.

The war-god kept his word. There lived with him in spiritland another" brave," Tutavake, cousin to the redoubtable Tukaitaua, who represented the elder branch of the family. The father of Tukaitaua was Tavarenga (Deceiving); the parent of Tutavake was Tuatakiri (Entirely-brave). Summoned to the presence of Rongo, Tutavake was ordered to go at once "to daylight" and slay Tukaitaua. "How can I manage it?" asked Tutavake. Rongo directed him to search through the six districts of Mangaia. "And if you cannot then discover him, climb the hills, and you will be sure to find his whereabouts. Only do not attack him early in the morning, for then he is in his full strength; nor in the evening, for as the shadow lengthens his strength increases. Recollect that as the shadow of morning shortens, Tukaitaua's strength wanes. At mid-day it is at the lowest point. Stand erect on a hill in the sun until its rays are vertical; then go and attack him."

Tutavake obeyed. Coming up to "daylight," he found the inhabitants of Auau (Mangaia) crowded together in the interior

in terror of the unknown murderer of mankind.

For some time

He

he could get no clue to the exact whereabouts of Tukaitaua. had indeed been seen occasionally performing his wonderful warlike evolutions hitherto unknown to mankind. Ascending a hill (which represents the left heel of the giant "Te-manava-roa") he espied a small cloud of dust rising from a spot not far from "thechasm-of-Tiki," by which constant communication was at that time kept up with nether-world. Tutavake cautiously approached the spot, and peered through the dense growth of trees and bush which surrounded the open space cleared by Tukaitaua for spearexercise. There, indeed, was his unconscious foe vigorously fighting the air. Day after day, from dawn to sunset, this was Tutavake's sole delightful employment. On this occasion Tukaitaua was somewhat exhausted, for the sun was vertical. Ever and anon an “ugh" would escape the accomplished warrior, as he failed in some delicate movement. Encouraged by these heavy grunts of disappointment, Tutavake, spear in hand, suddenly darted from his hiding-place to the edge of the circle inside which his cousin was practising. The astonished Tukaitaua exclaimed :

Ana mai ta Tauatakiri,

Kua pakua ta Tavarenga.

Yet Tukaitaua did not for a moment cease his spear-practice. His antagonist followed him very adroitly, as he went round and round the great circular area, in order to avoid a hasty meeting. This was in accordance with the instructions of Rongo. Tukaitaua's obvious aim was to close in with his foe as quickly as possible, and to give the death blow. Seven times Tukaitaua wheeled round, but was skilfully avoided by Tutavake. The

eighth time he made the circuit, it was evident that his strength was much impaired. At this Tutavake suddenly swung round in the opposite direction and dealt the hitherto invincible Tukaitaua a fatal blow on his head.

Rangi was delighted that the death of Matoetoea and his friends was thus speedily avenged. Tutavake returned to the shades. But the former peaceful state of things could never be enjoyed again. Blood had been shed; first in sheer wantonness, next in just retribution. Ever since, mankind has been engaged in either aggressive or defensive warfare. Diseases of various kinds followed in the train, and lingering death; Veêtini being the first. Hurricanes and famines came, too, into existence.

Tukaitaua, when prowling round the island in search of Matoetoea, etc., discovered in the exterior pile of rocks surrounding the fertile interior, a remarkable narrow gorge which runs right round,—not unlike a wide road, fenced on either side with imperishable walls of hardened sharp-pointed coral. Yet, strangely enough, in this coral large trees and beautiful creepers of different kinds grow luxuriantly. At various points in this natural road round Mangaia, Tukaitaua had cleared the bush and removed the rough loose stones in order to prosecute his favourite pastime at one time with a long spear; at another with a doubleedged wooden sword; anon with a curved club; occasionally with a sling.

The inhabitants of the world (Mangaia) contrived to get glimpses of the proceedings of this extraordinary fellow from behind trees or elevated blocks of rock; without, however, being seen by him. For it was evidently a dangerous thing to go near a native of nether-world possessed of such fearful strength. It was