PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 293 



recent prophecies, many firmly believe they have 

 seen the fulfilment of some of the predictions that 

 were made before their conversion to Christianity, i 8 a 2 r 6.' 

 of which the invasion of the island by the natives of 

 Bora Bora was one. This event was foretold by a 

 little bird called Oomamoo, which had the gift of 

 speech, and used to warn persons of any danger 

 with which they were threatened. On many occa- 

 sions, when persons have taken refuge in the moun- 

 tains to avoid a mandate for a victim for the morai, 

 or to escape from some civil commotion, this little 

 bird has been their guardian spirit, has warned them 

 when danger was near, and directed them how to 

 escape pursuit. I used to laugh at Jim, our inter- 

 preter, a good-natured intelligent fellow, for his 

 belief in these tales ; but he was always very earnest 

 in his relation of them, and never allowed himself 

 to join in our ridicule. Though he confessed that 

 this little monitor had been dumb since the intro- 

 duction of Christianity, yet it would evidently have 

 been as difficult to make him believe it never had 

 spoken, as that the danger of which it warned him 

 had never existed ; and this feeling is, I believe, 

 common to all his countrymen. Nothing is more 

 difficult than the removal of early impressions, par- 

 ticularly when connected with superstitions. I was 

 one evening returning with him round the shore 

 of the bay from Papiete, a favourite route, and 

 was conversing on the superstitions of his country- 

 men, when we came to a retired spot crowned 

 with tall cocoa-nut trees, with a small glen behind 

 it. Night was fast approaching, and the long 

 branches of the palm, agitated by the wind, pro- * 

 duced a mournful sound, in unison with the subject 



