But since that day even until now, so our fathers have told us, all turtles carry upon their backs the bowl which in the old days was in the house of Binama.
THE LEGEND OF RATA
By Sir George Grey
Wahieroa had been treacherously slain by a chief named Matuku, so it became the duty of his young son Rata to revenge his father’s death. By the time he had grown up he had devised a plan for doing this, and gave the necessary orders to his followers. He then started on a journey.
Arrived at the entrance to Matuku’s place he found a Man sitting in the courtyard who had been left in charge.
“Where is the man who killed my father?” he asked.
“He lives down in the earth and I call to warn him when the new moon appears. That is when he comes upon earth to do battle.”
“How can he know when the proper time comes?”
“I call to him in a loud voice.”