Kura

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17223, 14 December 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

Kura

A Tale of Maori Love and Hate.

(Written for the Christmas “ Star,* 1

by the

REV. W. H. E. ABBEY).

" I nui lovely ! My form rivals tire r«xisi” .So sang Kura. the beautiful daughter of Toto. as she ara~e<d at the reflection of her body in the pool where she bathed. Then, splashing the cool water ever her. breaats. she chanted. •' He loves me! Tree of the forest. Ho loves me! Bird of the air. He loves me! for ever and ever. Come. Hotu, and rest on my breast. ** A alight rustling of leaves behind her caused the beautiful girl to turn. There stood Hotu. her suitor and lover. “ 1 heard your song. Kura, sweet child of the bills! To-day we wed. The feast is prepared, and great is the hunger of Hotu.” So saving, ho drew her to himself, in a tender and fond embrace. “ Have you seen Potiki?” the girl inquired ** l like not the sighing of the wind in the mkau palms. It bodes ill to our love. Yonder black cloud that hangs over the hills is the spirit of hate. Potiki means evil.” » “Begone, dread fear! You are safe in the arms of Hotu, the Tree of a Thousand Branches. Are not my father's men trustworthy? Is not my axe keen-edged and sure! For you I would slay ten score Potikis. Come, dress, and return with me.” Together they wandered through the bush skirting the Lake of Seven Hues. “Bet us make for tlio river.” she said. V* Its murmuring waters quieten niy soul/’ The him had set. Twilight hung like a transparent mantle around them. They were seated where the sacred river flowed into the sea. At their feet the ripples gathered and lapped the bank “ The canoe is here,” he said. . Shall we row to the Enchanted Cove ?” With rhythmic movement of paddles they pulled on the bosom of the outgoing tide. Over the peaceful scene

there floated the strains of their song, • .Sail as a bird ; sail continuously ! It stands! I- moves I It slides! Tt slips along!” “What is that?” cried Kura, abruptly ceasing to sing, and pointing to an object that moved some distance away. •' It looks like a rock,” answered Hotu. ‘‘Shall we approach it? Though T have not seen a rock here before.” Rowing towards the mysterious object they discovered it to he a mass of palms and leaves interlaced with seaweeds and clinging barnacles. They were about to pull away again, when Hotu remarked, “There is something strange about that seaweed. T fear its rounded mass. Bet me disturb it with niv spear.” Passing the paddles to his bride, Hotu raised his spear and gently opened the surface of floating vegetation. “ The gods!” ho cried. ‘ A woman enrobed m ocean's garb!” Sure enough, beneath the seaweed there reposed the sleeping form of a beautiful woman, her head raised on a pillow of nikau palms, and her body resting on a couch of leaves and twigs. “ It is Tuku, the wife of Potiki.” said Kura in dismay. He has sung an incantation over her. stealing away her reason, and hi iaging her under the spell of the evil spirits. 1 am afraid. Hotu! We must not linger here. And lest Potiki should return in ilio dead of night to kiss her into further oblivion, we must take her with us now. His kissing breath will poison our love. Away! Away ! Away to the hills, Hotu !” On n> rude stretcher, made of flax, they carried Tuku to the Hills of Blue. There with warm oil they rubbed her benumbed body. After long but patient endeavour, the prostrate woman moved. Tuku revived! “ We must keep her here, Hotu. choosing the lesser of two evils.” The days passed

by. Tuku steadily regained tier reason, her strength ami beauty. I 4 ‘ What shall J do,” she repeatedly i asked, “ to reward you both for giving J mo hack my life aud thought?” “ Sojourn with us. ’ said Hotu, j ” until the gods decide your course and Hotu did not notice it, but fire I flashed in the eye of Kura. Jealousy began its cruel work. Jt was highly improper for the man to invite another woman to abide in his house. That was Kura's privilege and light. " I go fishing.” said Kura. ‘ You stay with the Seaweed Waif. Perhaps she will propitiate the spirits of fish.” Hotu knew that he had made a mistake. and lie knew, too, that his wife was angry. But he was too proud to aim at reconciliation. “ Tlio gods he with you.” he said, as Kura left the house. “ I shall strengthen the redoubts.” “It matters not now,” she answered, as she turned on her heel and made for the river. All day long Hotu toiled on the hillside. Tuku wove mats in the wharc, pausing only to carry lefreshments to the man outside. Over the western hills, the sun had set. Long lines of clouds, marshalled by the wind, hung in battle array. “ There shall be strife to-morrow.” Hotu said to himself. as lie wended his way to the whare. In the house, a faint light flickered. Tuku and Hotu sat alone. Kura had not returned. “ Her baskets must ho full, and she loiters under the load.” mused Hotu. “We shall have fish in plenty.” But- JTotu did not know that on the river bank Kura had met the fierce and hated Potiki. •• Away in the hills you'll find her—beyond the fifth ravine where the Waimate stream issues from the Abyss of j Silence.” This she said in hot haste, and im- ! mediately repented her words. “ I kiss j you, Kura.” answered Potiki. Feeling ! the fever of anger, which water could j not cool, burning on her lips. Kura I yielded while the enchanter's kiss lulled j her into insensibility. Lying there, Potiki covered her with palms and leaves, and turned towards the Hills of Blue. With stealthy movement he crept over the redoubts, and into the enclosure surrounding the w hare. The door stood ajar. Through the narrow chink tho jealous and infuriated man saw his wife sharpening the axe of the hated Hotu. Hotu stood by her side with his hand on her shoulder. “The dog.” .muttered Potiki. ” The woman for him and the axe for me! Is that your