If he only dared--one wring of the neck--one pinch of his finger and thumb almost!--and all would be over.

But he dared not! he dared not! Your savage is overawed by the blind terrors of taboo.

His predecessor, some elder Tu-Kila-Kila of forgotten days, had laid a great charm upon that parrot's life.

Whoever hurt it was to die an awful death of unspeakable torment.

The King of the Birds had special charge to guard it.