TE PITO TE HENUA, OK EASTER ISLAND. 515 



valuables were sent him from time to time, but lie invariably replied to all 

 overtures that he was now old and feeble and had but a short time to 

 live, and declined most positively to ruin his chances for salvation by 

 doing what his Christian instructors had forbidden. Finally the old fel- 

 low, to avoid temptation, took to the hills with the determination to re- 

 main in hiding until utter the departure of the Mohican. It was a mat- 

 ter of the utmost importance that the subject should be thoroughly in- 

 vestigated before leaving the island, and unscrupulous strategy was the 

 only resource after fair means had failed. Just before sundown one 

 evening, shortly before the day appointed for our sailing, heavy clouds 

 rolled up from the southwest and indications poiuted to bad weather. 

 In a heavy down-pour of rain we crossed the island from Vinapu to Ma- 

 teveri with Mr. Salmon, and found, as had been expected, that old Ure 

 Vaeiko had sought the shelter of his own home on this rough night. He 

 was asleep when we entered and took charge of the establishment. 

 When he found escape impossible he became sullen, and refused to look 

 at or touch a tablet. As a compromise it was proposed that he should 

 relate some of the ancient traditions. This was readily acceded to, be- 

 cause the opportunity of relating the legends to an interested audience 

 did not often occur, and the positive pleasure to be derived from such 

 an occasion could not be neglected. During the recital certain stimu- 

 lants that had been provided for such an emergency were produced, and 

 though not pressed upon our ancient friend, were kept prominently be- 

 fore him until, as the night grew old and the narrator weary, he was in- 

 cluded as the " cup that cheers" made its occasional rounds. A judi- 

 cious indulgence in present comforts dispelled all fears in regard to the 

 future state, and at an auspicious moment the photographs of the tab- 

 lets owned by the bishop were produced for inspection. Old Ure Vae- 

 iko had never seen a photograph before, and was surprised to find how 

 faithfully they reproduced the tablets which he had known in his young 

 days. A tablet would have met with opposition, but no objection could 

 be urged against a photograph, especially something possessed by the 

 good bishop, whom he had been instructed to reverence. The photo- 

 graphs were recognized immediately, and the appropriate legend related 

 with fluency and without hesitation from beginning to end. The story 

 of all the tablets of which we had a knowledge was finally obtained, 

 the words of the native being written down by Mr. Salmon as they were 

 uttered, and afterwards translated info English. 



A casual glance at the Easter Island tablets is sufficient to note the 

 fact that they differ materially from oilier k\ liologic writings. The 

 pictorial symbols are engraved in regular lines on depressed channels, 

 separated by slight ridges intended to protect the hieroglyphics from 

 injury by rubbing. In some cases the characters are smaller, and the 

 tablets contain a greater Dumber of lines, but in all cases the hiero- 

 glyphics are incised and cover both sides as well as the beveled edges 

 and hollows of the board upon which they are engraved. The symbols 



