76 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 
person, would be immediately punished with death. The sala, when 
taken care of, will last three weeks or a month, and the hair is not 
dressed except when it is removed; but the high chiefs and dandies 
seldom allow a day to pass without changing the sala, and having 
their hair put in order. 
The Feejeeans are extremely changeable in their disposition. They 
are fond of joking, indulge in laughter, and will at one moment appear 
to give themselves up to merriment, from which they in an instant 
pass to demon-like anger, which they evince by looks which cannot 
be misunderstood by those who are the subjects of it, and particularly 
if in the power of the enraged native. Their anger seldom finds vent 
in words, but has the character of sullenness. A chief, when offended, 
seldom speaks a word, but puts sticks in the ground, to keep the cause 
of his anger constantly in his recollection. ‘The objects of it now 
understand that it is time to appease him by propitiatory offerings, if 
they would avoid the bad consequences. When these have been ten- 
dered to the satisfaction of the offended dignitary, he pulls up the 
sticks as a signal that he is pacified. 
According to Whippy, who had an excellent opportunity of judging, 
the Feejeeans are addicted to stealing, are treacherous in the extreme, 
and, with all their ferocity, cowards. The most universal trait of their 
character, is their inclination to lying. They tell a falsehood in pre- 
ference, when the truth would better answer their purpose; and, in 
conversing with them, the truth can be only obtained, by cautioning 
them not to talk like a Feejee man, or, in other words, not to tell any 
lies. 
Adroit lying is regarded as an accomplishment, and one who is 
expert at it is sure of a comfortable subsistence and a friendly recep- 
tion wherever he goes. Their own weakness in this respect does not - 
render them suspicious, and nothing but what is greatly exaggerated 
is likely to be believed. In illustration of the latter trait, I was told 
by Paddy Connel, that he never told them the truth when he wished to 
be believed, for of it they were always incredulous. He maintained 
that it was absolutely necessary to tell them lies in order to receive 
credence. 
Covetousness is probably one of the strongest features of the Fee- 
jeean character, and is the incentive to many crimes. I have, how- 
ever, been assured, that a white man might travel with safety from 
one end of an island to the other, provided he had nothing about him 
to excite their desire of acquisition. This may be true, but it is im- 
possible to say that even the most valueless article of our manufactures 
might not be coveted by them. With all this risk of being put tc 
