Yet I do notdoubt that, being a witch, her
witchcraft was at work here, asalways.
As the three of them went, Pag told the
story.
Indeed, he tried to win her, announcing that he was
bound by no lawswhich Wi had made.
Blood running from its muzzle, the aurochs
drovefuriously at the ledge on which Wi stood.
She has not been content to take you as a fair
woman might have donewith little blame. At times, said Wi, aye, not often, but now
and again, such hope hascome to me, only to fade away. Have you never heard of the
great bull of the forest before which noman dare stand? Laleela lifted her head and
looked upward.
It opened its mouth, roaring inits mad rage.
Moreover, if that offering were not made, they wouldmake it for themselves by
murder. As the three of them went, Pag told the story.
If I were a lawmaker like you,Wi, I should choose
Yow to be a god among us.
Yes, answered Laleela, looking him in the face, and
her eyes werebold and happy.
Yet, if you should beweak, must I therefore cease
from being strong?
Now he became aware that Yow had reappeared, for he
heard his lowgrowls.
Yes, a Voice has spoken tothem from the roof of
their hut in the dead of night. Then the lank, evil-faced Ngae piped an answer in
his thin voice. Thetiger and the wolves are dead, and wild cattle have left the
woods.
Yet,keep watch over the other children, for there
are many famishedyonder. O Thatwhich Laleela worships, tell me what I must
do!
Do you demand that I should sacrifice my
son?
Therefore, an offering must be made,and on him was
laid the burden of this dreadful choice. Have I not told you that I am named a
prophetess, or a Witch-from-the-Sea, as your people call me?
As the three of them went, Pag told the
story.
Surely he would be better dead, leaving Moananga to
become chief afterhim. I dreamedthat I saw Wi fighting for his life, though with
what he fought I donot know.