Tin: CA liOLIXi; ISLAxVDS. "213 



the last supreme chief, the chiefs of the different 

 districts often settle their disputes by arms. In case 

 of any wrong, or ofience, tlie triton's horn is 

 blown. Both parties approach each other armed. 

 They negociate. When satisfaction is refused, 

 and no compromise can be agreed upon, they fight. 

 The war lasts till one of the class of chiefs has 

 fallen on each side, and the opposite party eaten a 

 part of his flesh. Every one only just lifts a piece 

 to his lips. This is an indispensable cereinony. 

 As soon as this condition has been complied with 

 peace is restored ; and it is confirmed by mar- 

 riages between the two parties. The character of 

 these islanders is, however, mild and hospitable as 

 those of the other groups. The stranger at Eap 

 and Pelew goes without danger between the belli- 

 gerent parties, and enjoys an equally friendly re- 

 ception among both. The people of Eap throw 

 the dart in an arc, with the assistance of a hol- 

 lowed piece of bamboo, in which the unarmed end 

 of the weapon is held and receives the impulse. 

 By this means they throw it an extraordinary dis- 

 tance. This weapon seems to agree in the essen- 

 tial parts with those of the Aleutians and northern 

 Esquimaux. They have also the two-pointed 

 lance of the Radackers. When the combatants 

 have approached each other, this lance is thrown 

 straight, and merely by the hand. They at last 

 light man to man. The chief leads on to war with 



