CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 81 
arrows. The gates or entrances are shut by sliding bars from the 
inside, and are defended on each side by structures of strong wicker- 
work, resembling bastions, which are placed about fifieen feet apart. 
When there is a ditch, the bridge across it is composed of two narrow 
logs. The whole arrangement affords an excellent defence against 
any weapons used by the natives of these islands, and even against 
musketry. 
Sieges of these fortified places seldom continue long; for if the 
attacking party be not speedily successful, the want of provisions, of 
which there is seldom a supply for more than two or three days, 
compels them to retire. Although such assaults are of short duration, 
the war often continues for a long time without any decisive result. 
If one of the parties desires peace, it sends an ambassador, who 
carries a whale’s tooth, as a token of submission. ‘The victorious 
party often requires the conquered to yield the right of soil, in which 
case the latter bring with them a basket of the earth from their district. 
The acceptance of this is the signal of peace, but from that time the 
conquered become liable to the payment of a yearly tribute. In addi- 
tion to this burden, the more powerful tribes often send word to their 
dependencies that they have not received a present for a long time; 
and if the intimation has no effect, the message is speedily followed by 
an armed force, by which the recusant tribe or town is sometimes 
entirely destroyed. ‘The bearer of such a message carries with him a 
piece of ava, which is given to the chief of the town in council, who 
causes it to be brewed, after which the message is delivered. But 
when an errand is sent to Ambau, or any superior chief, the messenger 
always carries with him a gift of provisions and other valuables. 
If a town is compelled to entreat to be permitted to capitulate, for 
the purpose of saving the lives of its people, its chiefs and principal 
inhabitants are required to crawl towards their conquerors upon their 
hands and knees, suing for pardon and imploring mercy. The 
daughters of the chiefs are also brought forward and oflered to the 
victors, while from the lower class victims are selected to be sacri- 
ficed to the gods. Even such hard conditions do not always suffice, but 
a whole population is sometimes butchered in cold blood, or reduced to 
a condition of slavery. To avoid such terrible consequences, most of 
the weak tribes seek security by establishing themselves on high and 
almost inaccessible rocks. Some of these are so steep that it would 
be hardly possible for any but one of the natives to climb them; yet 
even their women may be seen climbing their rocky and almost per- 
pendicular walls, to heights of fifty or sixty feet, and carrying loads 
of water, yams, &c. 
VOL. III. 11 
