O ye Ice-dwellers, that sacrifice is ready to be
offered.
Now, Pag, who was standing by, grinned, but Wi said
only:Have done and let us eat.
Aaka looked at him, and there was pride in her
face. After he had eaten, Wi lay down and slept awhile. Only, while they still
stared at the ground, theboy Foh cried out:The Chief my father has spoken. Am I not
also of the household of the chief, Hotoa? More, you shall eat one another and
killone another till at last none is left.
After all that has passed, Wife, such words seem to
me to be evil,answered Wi.
The air seemed to change; it grew more icy
cold,mens breath froze upon it.
Thats just what I want to know, I
answered.
Then he threw himself down on the ice and shut his
eyes like one whowishes to sleep. More, you shall eat one another and killone
another till at last none is left. It seems that it is so, but I am not sure, said
Wi.
The boulders danced through the people, and ice
flowed over them.
Being very strong, hereached it and by the help of
Wi climbed on to its edge. Then he threw himself down on the ice and shut his eyes
like one whowishes to sleep. Is this,then, a time for bitter words,
Wife?
So, I think, did all of us, Laleela, for last night
the air was bigwith death. Yet, Laleela, what would you have had me do? Such were
the words that they murmured one to another. Thus cried Wi in his madness, scarce
knowing what it was he said, orwhy such words broke from him.
Why should he be sacrificed, leaving us
leaderless?
Wi, you have your answer, piped Ngae, as the
shouting died.