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Show - 182 - build the shelter here. You may rest unon the mat this night, my son," added the old man. "I will perform karakia and sneak with the gods until the dawn when x*7e shall begin the work." Roa slent little that night. He thought of Moana, his comnanion wife, undergoing a similar experience in another part of the forest. He thought of his dead father. He tboxxght of his mother and the new child, his brother- He thought of his friend, Henry Busby. Fe thought of the man he had killed. And finally, he dreamed of neace for his neonie and his land. Early in the morning the eld man awakened Roa to nrenare for the process of applying the moko. After eating a light breakfast of the specially nrenared food, Roa asked the -uestion that x^as preying unon his mind. "E koro, old man, is it necessary that I have the tattooing upon my face?" "Why do you ask, mv son?" said the old man, nuzzled. "It will be painful, I know, but this is net my concern. Somehow, it does not seem right that we should put markings unon our bodies." |