The Wise Man's Diagnosis.

The tohunga was a tall lean old man, sharper of features than most Maoris, whose deep-set glittering eyes looked out through a mask of blue black tattoo. He presently came at his kinsman's call, and closely inspected his case.

After a long, intent, silent scrutiny, Hupini left the small wharau, a thatched hut, in which the sick boy was lying, apart from the dwelling of the family. Rupe anxiously awaited the wise man's verdict.

Hupini gave it in two words:

“Kua makuturia” (“He is bewitched”).

Who could have exercised the deadly art on the boy? Rupe could not think of any one who had cause to hate him or his family, at any rate to the point of murder.

The tohunga left for a neighbouring village of his kinsfolk, telling Rupe he would return on the following morning, and would then discover who had wrought this black magic on the boy. The family must be ready by dawn, and must have a kauhoa, or litter, to carry the turoro—the invalid—to the river below the kainga.