He was a _tino tangata_ (a very man--emphatically a man).

Grave and dignified, he walked about saying few words, while the other goblins chatted freely.

Presently the goblin-captain came up to the boys and, after patting their heads and stroking their cloaks, produced a large nail and held it up before them temptingly.

The other youngsters sat motionless, awe-struck.

But the bolder Taniwha laughed cheerfully and was at once presented with the prize.