196 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



celebrated nineteenth-century pirate of the Pacific), the price 

 of copra, the dense ignorance concerning Fiji which prevailed 

 at home, were the topics under review. Stories of life and 

 adventure all the world over were told by everybody ; some 

 pathetic, some amusing, and all marked by a strong flavour 

 of American humour. 



The moon was shining brightly as a weird-looking procession 

 approached the steps of the veranda. There was a Mi party 

 of four, forming a group by themselves. The people for the 

 meke-meke numbered about forty men and women, and after 

 they had respectfully squatted for a short time, Black gave a 

 signal, and the entertainment commenced. The lali man beat 

 time with his lali stick ; the three sombre-looking musicians 

 commenced a low sighing sort of chant, something like a 

 mixture of Gregorian with the strange Oriental music one 

 hears in Russian churches. The men took one side, the 

 women the other ; sometimes they were bending double ; some- 

 times going one way, sometimes another ; but all in the most 

 perfect time, and chanting to the tune of the instrumentalist 

 and his assistants. Anon they would rise, and pass round the 

 chanting four in single file, and would at once break off into a 

 ImUet d'action, representing the news of a Government order 

 reaching the mountains, and the consequent discussion, war, 

 peace, setting sail in a native canoe, a chase, etc., all accom- 

 panied by the low, and anything but monotonous, sing- 

 song which rose and fell as the sentiment of the scene depicted 

 might require. 



The meke lasted some time (the Fijians seem never to tire of 

 this amusement), and new stilus and other little presents 

 having been given by Mr. Chippindall, the papalagi were 

 left to contemplate the moonlit bay, and to discuss things in 

 general. 



