Adventures of the Moa.

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 26

Adventures of the Moa.

VH.—MOA. PLANS REVENGE

By

Lauretta Maud Willoughby

For “The Junior Dominion.”

Only once did Weka open his eyes, dazed and full of pain and tears. The Owl struggled through the door. “What ever are you doing?” asked Kiwi. “1 thought he would sleep better in his own bed,” answered Owl. "Would you help me to arrange it in the cornor. “My dear Owl." exclaimed Kiwi, “why didn’t you call me to lift the other end, you will be straining your•elf.” , « , “You have enough to do, he answered. w “How does he seem now?” “Oh, very restless—just as 1 think I have soothed him into a quiet sleep, he ■ springs up and cries out for help —it is most distressing."

“Have you tried damp leaves on his head? They are supposed to be very soothing er l —let ma think now —I believe . > .” “Please don't make any suggestions." interrupted Kiwi. *Tve tried everything—everything——my mind's in a whirl. What with sitting up all night, and Moa stamping about outside swearing vengeance. I'm in a state of collapse. “And another thing. A soon as ever Weka ea.n be moved, we must leave." "Leave I" echoed the Owl. “What do you mean —leave?” “Move on, of course. Moa thinks the Maoris are sure to track us here.' "Oh dear, oh dear!" cried Owl, rocking to and fro, “our. little b-bath-ing pool!—our little' c-cupboardsl" "That’s exactly how I feel,” said Kiwi, shaking his head, “indeed, , I don’t know how 1 restrained from crying when Moa told me." He shook up Weka's pillows. “I’ll get you to help me to lift him," he said.

“Weka now keep still, we are going to make you comfortable in your own bed." "Help1 1 Help!" screamed Weka. "There he goes again," cried Kiwi. "Oh, dear, isn’t it upsetting?” "Hush, it's all right Weka, everything’s all right. Owl’s standing close to you. You are quite safe, we are going to lift you into your own little bed. Now, won’t that be nice?” "Help!”

“We will simply have to be firm with him," said Owl. "Weka, keep still." “You hold his head, Kiwi, but be careful of his wing. That’s better." They lifted him into bed.

"If he would only ent something,” sighed Kiwi. "Weka, would you eat a red ripe berry, if I cut it up for you)" “I wouldn't force him to eat if he doesn't want to," said OwL “I wonder where Moa can be, it’s quite dark." “M’m a little anxious about Moa," whispered Kiwi. “Of course I don’t think he will for one minute, but . . "What ever do you mean)” asked Owl. ; ;• "Don't ask me,” begged Kiwi, “it’s

only something I heard him muttering when Weka was in such pain. Ho was probably over-wrought. 1 should never have mentioned it; it s no use worrying ourselves unnecessarily. “If you prop Weka up, 111 try and get him to take some water. “Wait," cried OwL “Kiwi, you must tell me, I . “Well, he-be said he was going to have revenge. Ho said ha was going to steal a Maori child.”

“A Maori child!" gasped the OwL “Oh, Kiwi—they will capture him, ho will be killed." •

"Hush,” sobbed Kiwi. “W-we m-must not upset Weka, he ... There was a sharp knock at the door.

"Oh, OwL” quivered Kiwi, “who ever can it be?"

“D-don’t go,” whispered OwL “it might be a Maori or, or a . • The knock sounded again. "S-shall I ask who it is?” whispered Kiwi.

"No, no I" he answered. “OK why did Moa leave us all alone? "Let us in, let us in," called a voice from the other side of the door.

“Who’s there?” trembled Kiwi. ’Your friends Tom-Tit and the Fane tail." |

The Owl and the Kiwi wept with rw lief.

“We must apologise for keeping you out in the cold,” stammered OwL "but the fact i«, we-we were frightened to open the door." ’ “I don't wonder,” answered TomTit, “we met Moa in the forest. Ha has told us everything. How is poor Weka? I’m surprised you were not all killed.”

“Don’t talk too loudly," whispered JGwi, “he is asleep. Where was Moa, when you met him?”

“He told uj he would not bo back until to-morrow,” replied Tom-Tit. “That is why wa have come," ex* plained the Fantail, “we thought yoti might be lonely." ‘ "Oh, Fantaill" cried Owl, “stay with us all night, we’re terrified. Moa—• he——oh dear—did he mention any* thing about a Maori child?" “I believe he did say something, ** answered Tom-Tit slowly. Some* thing about punishing the Maoris by stealing one of tbeir children. Two, I think, he said, if he could manage to carry them." “It’s madness!" cried Owl.

“I think Moa is very brave,” said Tom-Tit. “It is time the Maoris suffered a little for what. they have done. There is not a bird in the forest who has not lost a mate or a brother by their cruel darts and snares." Kiwi was whispering to the FantaiL “I’ll have to ask you all to sleep in Moa's bed. Oh, it is good of you to stay. Owl, have we any nice insects left over for supper? Remind me to squeeze some berry juice for Weka during the night, it's all he seems to fancy," he added turning to Tom-lit.

Outside the wind stirred the trees and turned the leaves over. The moon rested his chin upon a little hill and gazed dreamily at his reflection in the shining river.