short rest and refreshment, she fed her
friends--the ground-squirrels, the young pelicans, the parrots and
herons, and scattered a generous supply for the wagtails, and martins,
and swifts; then hastened with her bounties to the pool-side. But,
alas! near the water's edge there was a sight which almost caused her to
faint--there were tracks of many feet, bruised reeds, blood, scales, and
refuse of fish. She cooed softly to her friends; they heard her cry,
but approached slowly and doubtingly. She called out to Munu,
"Munu-nunu, oh, Munu, Munu, Munu;" but Munu came not, and the others
stood well away from the shore, gazing at her reproachfully, and they
would not advance any nearer. Perceiving that they distrusted her, she
threw herself on the ground and wept hot tears, and wailing, "Oh! Munu,
Munu, Munu, why do you doubt me?"

When Izoka's grief had somewhat subsided she followed the tracks through
the woods until she came to the path, where they were much clearer, and
there she discovered that those who had violated her peaceful home, had
travelled towards Umane. A suspicion that her husband must have been of
the number served to anger her still more, and she resolved to follow
the plunderers, and endeavour to obtain justice. Swiftly she sped on
the trail, and after many hours' quick travel she reached Umane after
darkness had fallen. This favoured her purpose, and she was able to
steal, unperceived, near to the open place in front of her husband's
house, when she saw Koku and his friends feasting on fish, and heard him
boast of his discovery of the fine fish in a forest pool. In her fury
at his daring villainy she was nearly tempted to rush upon him and
cleave his head with her bill-hook, but she controlled herself, and sat
down to think. Then she made the resolution that she would go to her
father and claim his protection--a privilege she might long ago have
used had not her pride been wounded by the brutal treatment her person
had received at the hands of Koku.

Her father's village was but a little distance away from Umane, and in a
short time all the people in it were startled by hearing the shrill
voice of one who was believed to be long ago dead, crying out in the
darkness the names of Uyimba and Twekay. On hearing the names of their
chief and his wife repeatedly called, the men seized their spears and
sallied out, and discovered, to their astonishment, that the long-lost
Izoka was amongst them once