Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/282

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274
THE ORATORY, SONGS, LEGENDS AND

she went a little way into a cave in the rock, but did not enter, for the cave was blocked with stones; so she knocked but could not open it. Then she spoke thus, "If I am consecrated from father and mother, let this open!" So the cave opened and she entered in. And having come in, she spoke again, "If I am noble by father and noble by mother, then let this shut up, that Itrìmobé may not pass!" So the stone door closed of itself, and Indésoka hid there.

And when the servant-girls who had been with Indésoka came up to the village they accused her to Itrìmobé of having broken his silver vessel. And when Itrìmobé heard that he was angry and said, "I'll eat her!" (Ifàra, however, was not there, but only the girls who made the accusation.) And when Ifàra came into the house Itrìmobé said, "Ifàra! here is my daughter Indésoka's portion of rice and drumstick of fowl; take it, and call her home, for I won't eat her." (But he hid his purpose from Ifàra lest she should tell Indésoka; for Ifàra was her mother.) So Ifàra went away to where Indésoka was, and came to the cave. And arriving there she called out, singing thus:—

"Randesoka oh! Randesoka!
Hidden in the rock.
Randesoka oh!
In the rock not speaking.
Randesoka oh!
Friend deceiving,
Randesoka oh!
And killing unto death.
Randesoka oh!
Your little meal of rice,
Randesoka oh!
Your little share of fowl,
Randesoka oh!"

Then Indésoka also replied thus :

"Mother, oh my mother!
Hidden in the rock.
My mother oh!
In the rock not speaking.
My mother oh!
Friend deceiving.
My mother oh!
And killing unto death,
My mother oh!"