Was it pushed from its course by the southern storm?
Did a wind ward it off from him?”
[[87]]
He waited for the stranger to throw the spear back at him, but Paka did not throw it. Then the King turned and went to his house.
When Paka came before it he heard shouts within. “What is going on?” Paka asked. “It is for a game,” said a by-stander. “Our King is engaged in a boxing-match; he is winning, for no one can beat him.” Paka then went within, and he found the place filled with people. The King, seeing him, said, “Will the stranger join in a boxing-match?” “I know something of that game,” said Paka, “but not much. I am willing to try a bout with the son of the soil.”
Thereupon they took up their positions. The King struck, and his blow stunned Paka. Then Paka pulled himself together, and he struck. His blow knocked the King down; he lay on the ground for a time long enough to bake an oven of food. Then he rose up. He said, “That was a good stroke; the stranger makes a real opponent.”
Because Paka had not been defeated in the boxing-bout, he was given a house and food and clothes. Soon afterwards the King sent a crier through the country telling the people that they must all come to the King’s house on the fourth day after to hear the riddles that the King proposed. Now this crier had never been given any food except what dropped from the King’s eating place; he had never been given any clothes, either, and he looked fearful in [[88]]his naked, unwashed, and wasted form. No one would go near the man, or speak to him, or give him anything. Such was the King’s crier. He had a loud voice, however, and the people all heard what he cried out.
He came along crying: “Every one is commanded to be in the King’s presence on the fourth day from this to hear the riddles that the King will propose. No man, woman, or child may stay at home except those who are not able to walk.”
As the crier came along, Paka looked out and saw him, and he said to those who were with him, “Call that man in and give him something to eat.” Those who were with him said, “No, we cannot do that; he is a disgusting-looking man; no one can bear to be near where he is.” But Paka still said, “Call him to us.” The crier was called over; he came, but he was ashamed to stand before the people who had called him.
Paka had the man wash himself. He gave him new clothes, and he bade him sit down and eat. He ate until he was satisfied. Then said the King’s crier: “I have travelled all around the Island, and no one has ever given me food before. Now at last I have found out that pork and yams and bananas are pleasant to the taste. How can I pay you for this?”