From the Introduction.
It is very interesting to read stories that have been handed down by former dwellers on the earth, and so learn how they thought, felt and acted, for in many instances the characters and exploits of the legendary beings they describe are connected with ancient religious beliefs and systems.
The stories in this book are of Maoris, pronounced very much like Mow-rees, a race of tall, brown-skinned men, very fierce and warlike in disposition. They had no books, but they did have, and have still, a great many strange and beautiful fairy tales which the chiefs and professional story-tellers used to relate to the people in their soft and musical language, long before they had even heard of white men.
As you read these stories you will see how the Maoris believed in a Fire-god, and in a dark world below this one, where people went after they died. You will notice, too, that they thought the earth was a big flat piece of land, that the sun rose above it every day and dipped below it at night, and that the stars were not merely little glittering things, but vast worlds, often far greater than their own.
In the decorations for the full-page pictures in this book the artist has reproduced various objects connected with ancient Maori life. There is Tané, the God of light, a shark-toothed sword, another sword with the hilt nearly at a right angle with the blade, a feather headdress resembling a Roman helmet, a shield, a quiver, a war-club, two forms of spears, and a hat much like those worn by the Chinese. In the large initials throughout the book the textures of different Maori fabrics are shown in combination with implements and idols.