OF THE SOUTH SEAS 401 



these dramas were, with the legends and stories they re- 

 cited, the perpetuation of their archives and chronicles. 

 They were apt in traresty and satire. They ridiculed 

 the priests and current events, and by their wit made 

 half the people love them and half fear them. A man- 

 ager directed all their performances. They aimed at 

 perfect rhythm in their chants and dances, and grace 

 and often sheer fun in their pantomimes. Some were 

 wrestlers, but boxing they left for others. As with the 

 Marquesans to-day, they had a fugleman, or leader, in 

 all songs, who introduced the subject in a prologue, and 

 occasionally gave the cue to a change. 



No man could reach high rank with them except by 

 histrionic ability and a strict compliance with their rules. 

 Exceptions to the first requirement might be found in 

 the great chiefs. A candidate came before the lodge in 

 gala fashion, painted, wreathed, and laughing. Leap- 

 ing into their circle, he joined madly in the rout, and 

 thus made known his desire for admittance. If worthy, 

 he became a servant, and only after proving by a long 

 novitiate his qualities was he given the lowest rank. 

 Then he received the name by which he would be known 

 in the society. He swore to kill his children, if he had 

 any, and crooking his left arm, he struck it with his right 

 hand, and repeated the oath: 



"The mountain above, the sacred mountain; the floor 

 beneath Tamapua, projecting point of the sea; Man- 

 unu, of majestic forehead; Teariitarai, the splendor in 

 the sky ; I am of the mountain huruhuru." He spoke 

 his Arioi name, and snatched the covering of the chief 

 woman present. 



Occasionally there might be persons or districts that 



