Within the temple-hut, however, Ula awaited him.  That was a pleasant change.  The beautiful, supple, satin-skinned Polynesian looked more beautiful and more treacherous than ever that fateful evening.  Her great brown limbs, smooth and glossy as pearl, were set off by a narrow girdle or waistband of green and scarlet leaves, twined spirally around her.  Armlets of nautilus shell threw up the dainty plumpness of her soft, round forearm.  A garland hung festooned across one shapely shoulder; her bosom was bare or but half hidden by the crimson hibiscus that nestled voluptuously upon it.  As Tu-Kila-Kila entered, she lifted her large eyes, and, smiling, showed two even rows of pearly white teeth.  “My master has come!” she cried, holding up both lissome arms with a gesture to welcome him.  “The great god relaxes his care of the world for a while.  All goes on well.  He leaves his sun to sleep and his stars to shine, and he retires to rest on the unworthy bosom of her, his mate, his meat, that is honored to love him.”

Tu-Kila-Kila was scarcely just then in a mood for dalliance.  “The Queen of the Clouds comes hither to-morrow,” he answered, casting a somewhat contemptuous glance at Ula’s more dusky and solid charms.  “I go to seek her with the wedding gifts early in the morning.  For a week she shall be mine.  And after that—­” he lifted his tomahawk and brought it down on a huge block of wood significantly.

Ula smiled once more, that deep, treacherous smile of hers, and showed her white teeth even deeper than ever.  “If my lord, the great god, rises so early to-morrow,” she said, sidling up toward him voluptuously, “to seek one more bride for his sacred temple, all the more reason he should take his rest and sleep soundly to-night.  Is he not a god?  Are not his limbs tired?  Does he not need divine silence and slumber?”

Tu-Kila-Kila pouted.  “I could sleep more soundly,” he said, with a snort, “if I knew what my enemy, the Korong, is doing.  I have set my Eyes to watch him, yet I do not feel secure.  They are not to be trusted.  I shall be happier far when I have killed and eaten him.”  He passed his hand across his bosom with a reflective air.  You have a great sense of security toward your enemy, no doubt, when you know that he slumbers, well digested, within you.

Ula raised herself on her elbow, and gazed snake-like into his face, “My lord’s Eyes are everywhere,” she said, reverently, with every mark of respect.  “He sees and knows all things.  Who can hide anything on earth from his face?  Even when he is asleep, his Eyes watch well for him.  Then why should the great god, the Measurer of Heaven and Earth, the King of Men, fear a white-faced stranger?  To-morrow the Queen of the Clouds will be yours, and the stranger will be abased:  ha, ha, he will grieve at it!  To-night, Fire and Water keep guard and watch over you.  Whoever would hurt you must pass through Fire and Water before he reach your door.  Fire would burn, Water would drown.  This is a Great Taboo.  No stranger dare face it.”