Page:Iracéma, the honey-lips (1886).djvu/83
had done such deeds during his long life. Iraçéma, who had bathed in the nearest Cachoeira, came to meet them, bringing combs of the purest honey in a leaf of the Taioba.[1]
The friends wandered about the flourishing environs till the shade of the mountain darkened the valley. They then returned to the spot where they had left the Maranguab.
The old man was still there in the same attitude, with his head bent on his chest and his crossed knees supporting his forehead. The ants were running up his body, and the Tuins[2] were fluttering around him and settling upon his bald head.
Poty placed his hand on the old man՚s head, and felt that he was dead. He had died of old age.
The Pytiguára Chief then intoned the Song of Death; presently he went into the cabin to fetch the Camoçim, which was filled to overflowing with nuts of Cajú. Martim counted five times five handfuls.
Meanwhile, Iraçéma gathered in the forest the Andiroba,[3] with which to anoint the body of the old man in the Camoçim, where the dutiful hand of his grandson placed him. The Funeral Vase remained suspended to the cabin roof.
They then planted the Ortiga, or large stinging nettle, before the doorway, to defend against animals the abandoned Oca.[4] Poty bade a sorrowful farewell to these scenes, and returned with his companions to the borders of the sea.