d thrust the dagger into his
heart. He fell and died quickly.

"Then Lea leapt over a part of the stone wall where it was low, and ran
towards the river, pursued by some of Lirou's mea But she was fleet of
foot, crossed the river, and escaped into the jungle and rested awhile.
Then she passed out of the jungle into the rough mountain country, and
that night she reached King Roka's town.

"Roka made her very welcome, and was filled with anger when she told her
story.

"'I will quickly punish these cruel murderers,' he said; 'as for thee,
Lea, make this thy home and dwell with us.'

"Roka gathered together his fighting men. Half he sent to Roan Kiti
by water, and half he himself led across the mountains. They fell upon
Lirou's people at night, and slew nearly half of the men, and drove all
the rest into the mountains, where they remained for many months, broken
and hunted men.

"That is the story of Tokolme."

CHAPTER XVI ~ "LANO-TO"

A white rain squall came crashing through the mountain forest, and
then went humming northward across the quiet lake, down over the wooded
littoral and far out to sea Silence once more, and then a mountain cock,
who had scorned the sweeping rain, uttered his shrill, cackling, and
defiant crow, as he shook the water from his black and golden back and
long snaky neck, and savage, fierce-eyed head.

Between two wide-flanking buttresses of a mighty _tamana_ tree I had
taken shelter, and was comfortably seated on the thick carpet of soft
dry leaves, when I heard my name called, and looking up, I saw, a few
yards away, the grave face of an elderly Samoan, named Marisi (Maurice).
We were old acquaintances.

"Talofa, Marisi. What doest thou up here at Lano-to?" I said, as I shook
hands and offered him my pipe for a draw.

"I and my nephew Mana-ese and his wife have come here to trap pigeons.
For three days we have been here. Our little hut is close by. Wilt come
and rest, and eat?"

"Aye, indeed, for I am tired. And this Lake of Lano-to is a fine place
whereat to rest."

Marisi nodded. "That is true. Nowhere in all Samoa, except from the top
of the dead fire mountain in Savai'i, can one see so far and so much
that is good to look upon. Come, friend."

I had shot some pigeons, which Marisi took from me, and began to pluck
as he led the way along a narrow path that wound round the edge of the
crater, which held the lake in its rugged but verdure-clad bosom. In a
few minutes we