With a shout , Chi-dubula-taka seized a great clod of earth and launched it at Makoma . But the hero had his sack held over his left arm and the stones and earth fell harmlessly upon it , and , tightly gripping his iron hammer , he rushed in and struck the giant to the ground . Chi-dubula-taka grovelled before him , all the while growing smaller and smaller ; and when he had become a convenient size Makoma picked him up and put him into the sack beside Chi-eswa-mapiri . He went on his way even greater than before , as all the river-maker 's power had become his ; and at last he came to a forest of bao-babs and thorn trees . He was astonished at their size , for every one was full grown and larger than any trees he had ever seen , and close by he saw Chi-gwisa-miti , the giant who was planting the forest . Chi-gwisa-miti was taller than either of his brothers , but Makoma was not afraid , and called out to him : ` Who are you , O Big One ? ' ` I , ' said the giant , ` am Chi-gwisa-miti , and I am planting these bao-babs and thorns as food for my children the elephants . ' ` Leave off ! ' shouted the hero , ` for I am Makoma , and would like to exchange a blow with thee ! ' The giant , plucking up a monster bao-bab by the roots , struck heavily at Makoma ; but the hero sprang aside , and as the weapon sank deep into the soft earth , whirled Nu-endo the hammer round his head and felled the giant with one blow . So terrible was the stroke that Chi-gwisa-miti shrivelled up as the other giants had done ; and when he had got back his breath he begged Makoma to take him as his servant . ` For , ' said he , ` it is honourable to serve a man so great as thou . ' Makoma , after placing him in his sack , proceeded upon his journey , and travelling for many days he at last reached a country so barren and rocky that not a single living thing grew upon it -- everywhere reigned grim desolation . And in the midst of this dead region he found a man eating fire . ` What are you doing ? ' demanded Makoma . ' I am eating fire , ' answered the man , laughing ; ` and my name is Chi-idea-moto , for I am the flame-spirit , and can waste and destroy what I like . ' ` You are wrong , ' said Makoma ; ` for I am Makoma , who is `` greater '' than you -- and you can not destroy me ! ' The fire-eater laughed again , and blew a flame at Makoma . But the hero sprang behind a rock -- just in time , for the ground upon which he had been standing was turned to molten glass , like an overbaked pot , by the heat of the flame-spirit 's breath .
Then the hero flung his iron hammer XXXXX Chi-idea-moto , and , striking him , it knocked him helpless ; so Makoma placed him in the sack , Woro-nowu , with the other great men that he had overcome .
With at behind beside for in like of that to