. Legends of Ma-ui--a demi god of Polynesia . aui sped along his way. Then hesaw that the fire was chasing himi. Bush after bushleaped into flame and hurled sparks and smoke andburning air after him. Choked and smoke-surrounded,he broke through the door of the cavern and foundthe fresh air of the world. But the flames followedhim and swept out in great power upon the upper-world a mighty volcanic eruption. The New Zealand legends picture Maui as puttingout, in one night, all the fires of his people. Thiswas serious mischief, and Mauis mother decided thathe should go to the under-world and see
. Legends of Ma-ui--a demi god of Polynesia . aui sped along his way. Then hesaw that the fire was chasing himi. Bush after bushleaped into flame and hurled sparks and smoke andburning air after him. Choked and smoke-surrounded,he broke through the door of the cavern and foundthe fresh air of the world. But the flames followedhim and swept out in great power upon the upper-world a mighty volcanic eruption. The New Zealand legends picture Maui as puttingout, in one night, all the fires of his people. Thiswas serious mischief, and Mauis mother decided thathe should go to the under-world and see his ancestress,Mahuika, the guardian of fire, and get new fire to re-pair the injury he had wrought. She warned himagainst attempting to play tricks upon the inhabitantsof the lower regions. Maui gladly hastened down the cave-path to thehouse of Mahuika, and asked for fire for the upper-world. In som_e way he pleased her so that she pulledoff a finger nail in which fire was burning and gaveit to him. As soon as he had gone back to a place 74. Hawaiian Vines and Bushes where there was water, he put the fire out and re-turned to Mahuika, asking another gift, which he de-stroyed. This he did for both hands and feet untilonly one nail remained. Maui wanted this. ThenMahuika became angry and threw the last finger nailon the ground. Fire poured out and laid hold ofeverything. Maui ran up the path to the upper-world,but the fire was swifter-footed. Then Maui changedhimself into an eagle and flew high up into the air,but the fire and smoke still followed him. Then hesaw water and dashed into it, but it was too him the forests were blazing, the earth burn-ing and the sea boiling. Maui, about to perish, calledon the gods for rain. Then floods of water fell andthe fire was checked. The great rain fell on Mahuikaand she fled, almost drowned. Her stores of fire were4estroyed, quenched by the storm. But in order tosave fire for the use of men, as she fled she threwsparks into diff
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidlegendsofmau, bookyear1910
