THE KING OF THE SNAKES.
In the old days was a great flood, and the waters of the sea arose and covered the earth. The people of many lands were drowned, and still the sea rose, and rose, and rose, until the hills were covered. Then the fairies, and the elves, and the tree spirits, and the snakes feared for their lives, and hasted to the top of Tauaga, the highest of mountains.
But even so the sea followed them and rose up the side of the mountain so fast that ere long it must reach the top. And all were afraid when they saw the waters. But Raudalo, king of the snakes, looked not upon the flood as he rested on the top of Tauaga, and feared not as the others did. At last he said to his servants, 'Where now are the waters?' And they answered, 'They are rising, lord.' Yet looked he not upon the flood. And after a space he said again, 'Where now are the waters?" and his servants answered as they had done before. And again he inquired of them, 'Where now are the waters?" But this time all the snakes, Titiko, Dubo and Anauri, made answer, 'They are here, and in a moment they will touch thee, lord.'
Then Raudalo turned him about (this have I not seen; I do but tell the tale as I have heard it of the elders) and put forth his forked tongue, and touched with the tip of it the angry waters which were about to cover him. And on a sudden the sea rose no more, but began to flow down the side of the mountain. Still was Raudalo not content, and he pursued the flood down the hill, ever and anon putting forth his forked tongue that there might be no tarrying on the way. Thus went they down the mountain and over the plain country until the sea shore was reached. And the waters lay in their bed once more and the flood was stayed. But Raudalo feared to depart lest the waters should rise again. He therefore took his dwelling in a cave of coral among the cliffs of Qarara, and remaineth unto this day, to keep guard over the sea. And when its waves are big and the people fear a flood, Raudalo comes forth from his cave, and repeats a charm which when the sea heareth, it is still and the people's fear melteth away.