You lie, said Wi, at which she only smiled again
and drew the cloakmore closely about her.
The first of all came Foh, running like a deer. But
whenevening draws in, it comes out to feed.
Aaka saw him and instantly herface changed, for on
it seemed to fall its usual mask of haughtiness. Alsoit was she who taught us to
throw stones into the boats.
It was by a chance, answered Laleela with a smile.
So the Witch lives, she said in a low voice, and has found a nurse.
Behold, it was Laleela, clad inher blue cloak and
holding a spear in her hand. Hearken, old vile one who call yourself a wizard, he
said. And if the manleapt aside, what would happen?
Just in time, she said, for I saw the arrow
coming,though they did not, and leapt into its path.
Scrambling along the fallen tree, hedid this
thrice, and always found the bottom at the same depth.
Why have you not gone to thewoods with the other
women? Aye, while Pag pulled she still smiled, thoughhe noted that her lips turned
pale and twitched. But such was not the purpose of the red-haired men, as presently
hewas to learn. Now Wi cried aloud and would have fallen had notMoananga caught him
by the arm. Indeed, he tried to win her, announcing that he was bound by no
lawswhich Wi had made.
Then, able to bear no more, Wi turned and left the
cave. There may have been more that weretaken out to sea.
Then Moananga said:I am chief in this matter.
Scrambling along the fallen tree, hedid this thrice, and always found the bottom at
the same depth.
Behold, it was Laleela, clad inher blue cloak and
holding a spear in her hand.
Wi also looked upward and saw what it was at which
Yow growled.
Do you mean that Laleela the White Witch should
also be sacrificed tothe Ice-gods? She goes out to sea in her hollow log and
returnsleading a host of Red Wanderers. For the heart of Wi was heavy in him, and
the words of Aakahad pierced him like a spear.