BOWDITCH ISLAND. 
27 
was pretending to read his sacred book, which our gentlemen disco¬ 
vered was a volume of the Rambler! This was obtained from him, by 
Mr. Agate, in exchange for a treatise on rail-roads , which had a flashy 
red cover, and therefore calculated to inspire his flock with additional 
reverence for their priest. He also made use of a kind of gibberish in 
talking to them, wishing, as was supposed, to give his followers the idea 
that he could speak the Papalangis’ language. How he had contrived 
to propitiate the anger of the old chief Lelomiava, was not ascertained ; 
but a story "was told of him, that about a year before he had lost his 
two wives, and disappeared, informing his followers he was going to 
heaven to procure a third. He absented himself about a week, no one 
being informed where he had gone. On his return without a wife, he 
was asked where she was. His reply was, that the Great Spirit had 
told him that he was too old to marry a young wife, and must return 
to his people, who would take care of him, provide him wflth food, and 
do for him all that a w T ife could do. He accordingly returned, in 
obedience to the Spirit’s directions, and appears to live contented, all 
his wants being supplied without any care or trouble to himself. One 
of the most ridiculous parts of this fellow’s proceedings, was a native 
bringing to him an old tea-kettle, which was tabooed and held sacred, 
on which he began beating with an iron knife, making much noise, his 
face assuming a contemplative expression, until he had done with his 
mummeries. Strange as it may seem, he has many proselytes, and 
nearly all the inhabitants of the district of Sagana are followers of his 
doctrine. Their appearance contrasts very strongly with that of the 
Christian villages, while the heathens are, to appearance, almost a 
different race of people; the one with long hair, gathered in a knot on 
the top of the head, and only clothed in the maro; the other with short 
hair, and dressed in a clean shirt and pareu. To strangers, both are 
generally kind and hospitable, and continue the Samoan custom of 
offering food to travellers as they pass through the village. 
Since our visit in 1839, Mr. Day had taken up his residence within 
two miles of Malietoa’s town, where Mr. Hale and Dr. Whittle spent 
an hour or two with him, and proceeded thence to visit Malietoa. Near 
the new T church, the house of Mole was pointed out, in which he had 
adopted many of the conveniences introduced by foreigners: the floor 
of his house was of boards, raised above the ground, and his doors 
were made to turn on hinges. The interior was divided by partitions 
into four rooms. A table and some rude seats composed the furniture. 
How far this example will be followed by the natives, time alone can 
determine. I believe that all those who have examined and reflected 
upon the condition of the natives of the South Sea islands, will be satis- 
