672 THE AKAWAKS. 



nate cries, resembling the note of a bird often heard in the 

 forests. 



At some little distance from the dancers were couples of 

 men lashing each other on the leg. The man whose turn it 

 was to receive the lash stood firmly on one leg, advancing the 

 other ; while his adversary, stooping, took deliberate aim, and, 

 springing from the earth to add vigour to his stroke, gave his 

 opponent a severe cut. The latter gave no other sign that 

 he was hurt than a contemptuous smile, though blood must 

 have been drawn by the lash. After a short dance, his oppo- 

 nent returned the compliment with equal force. Nothing 

 could exceed the good-humour with which these proceedings 

 were carried on. One of the men was scarcely able to walk, 

 after the punishment ; but, in general, after a few lashes they 

 drank paiwari, and returned to the main body of dancers, 

 from which fresh couples were continually falling out to test 

 each other's mettle. 



At length, on a signal from the master of the house, the 

 dancing ceased, and all the men, arranging themselves in pro- 

 cession, went round the building with slow and measured 

 steps, the plank and the wooden images being carried before 

 them. 



After this they arranged themselves near the grave, and one 

 of them chanted something in a low voice, to which the others 

 answered at intervals with four moans by wa} r of chorus. 

 The articles carried in procession were then taken to a hole 

 previously dug in the earth, and buried there. Two or three 

 men appointed for the purpose then drew forth their long 

 knives, and rushing in among the dancers, snatched the whips 

 from them, cut off the lash from each, and buried them with 

 the other articles. 



