18 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



who do not welcome strangers, and used to eat them. The population is estimated at about 

 36,000, including 300 Europeans. Samoaus, when they come on board an English vessel, do 

 not steal like mauy primitive people; for honesty is one of their many virtues. All are 

 nominally Christians, the London Missionary Society having over 200 native missionaries in 

 these islands. One of their great chiefs, Malietoa by name, went on board ail English vessel 

 and received many presents, which were gladly accepted. The following extract from the 

 journal of Mr. Williams, the well-known missionary, will serve to show how the chief and his 

 people expressed their gratitude: "At the close of this important and interesting interview, 

 Malietoa informed his people, who had been gazing with wonder upon the novel proceedings, 

 that a large quantity of valuable property had been given to him, and that the English 

 chiefs, to whom he was indebted for it, would want something to eat on their return; 'for,' 

 said he, 'there are 110 pigs running about on the sea, neither is there any bread-fruit growing 

 there.' Upon hearing this, the whole company instantly arose and scampered away; and in 

 about an hour they returned, bringing with them fifteen pigs of various sizes, with a large 

 quantity of bread-fruit, yams, and other vegetables, the whole of which the chief presented to us." 



Women accompany their husbands to the wars in order to nurse them and to look 

 after the commissariat. They have been seen in action carrying water to the wounded, 

 regardless of the bullets flying thick about them. Mr. Pritchard says: "After a fight the 

 heads of the slain warriors are paraded in the presence of the assembled chiefs and people, 

 when the heroes are individually thanked, and their general prowess and daring publicly 

 acknowledged. The excitement of the successful warrior is intense, as he passes before 

 the chiefs with his bleeding trophy, capering in the most fantastic evolutions, with blackened 

 face and oiled body, throwing his club high in the air, and catching it behind his back or 

 between his legs; sometimes himself carrying his dead enemy's head, sometimes dancing 

 round a comrade who carries it for him, all the while shouting in his loudest voice, 

 'I have my man, I have my man.'' 



In these islands marriage transactions may be said to be merely speculations in fine 

 mats, of which a bride's dowry consists. These are handed over to the husband's principal 



Photo by Underwood & Underwood] 



NATIVES OP MOOREA, SOCIETY ISLANDS. 



[New York. 



