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 at 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 . And now , truly , Makoma was a very great hero ; for he had the strength to make hills , the industry to lead rivers over dry wastes , foresight and wisdom in planting trees , and the power of producing fire when he wished . Wandering on he arrived one day at a great plain , well watered and full of game ; and in the very middle of it , close to a large river , was a grassy spot , very pleasant to make a home upon . Makoma was so delighted with the little meadow that he sat down under a large tree and removing the sack from his shoulder , took out all the giants and set them before him . ` My friends , ' said he , ' I have travelled far and am weary . Is not this such a place as would suit a hero for his home ? Let us then go , to-morrow , to bring in timber to make a kraal . ' So the next day Makoma and the giants set out to get poles to build the kraal , leaving only Chi-eswa-mapiri to look after the place and cook some venison which they had killed . In the evening , when they returned , they found the giant helpless and tied to a tree by one enormous hair ! ` How is it , ' said Makoma , astonished , ` that we find you thus bound and helpless ? ' '
O Chief , ' answered Chi-eswa-mapiri , ` XXXXX mid-day a man came out of the river ; he was of immense statue , and his grey moustaches were of such length that I could not see where they ended !
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