84 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF SI AN. 



evidently the national weapon. At the strand, reinforcements were 

 arriving in larg-e double canoes, from the more remote islands of 

 the group. Several of the strangers at once recognised the Vin- 

 cennes, although disguised by an additional deck since they had 

 seen her at Vavao : and on getting further acquainted with the crowd 

 on shore, all the principal branches of the Polynesian family were 

 found to be represented. 



The war had been precipitated through the indiscreet zeal of one 

 of the European missionaries, and had "lasted for nearly a year; but 

 the recent arrival of ' King George,' from the other division of the 

 group, with a body of several hundred warriors," promised to bring it 

 to a conclusion. This state of things was unfavourable to the pur- 

 suits of the naturalist; and as strategies of war were not unknown, 

 and an act of treachery had recently taken place, our walks were ne- 

 cessarily very much circumscribed. 



My principal excursion was made in a canoe, to the heathen village 

 of Moo, situated near the centre of the island, and at the head of the 

 inlet or lagoon. It was fortified after a plan evidently borrowed from 

 the Feejeeans ; being surrounded by a ditch, and having low gateways 

 strongly built of logs; but the greater part of the wall consisted only 

 of wicker-work of small sugar-cane. Secondary enclosures of wicker- 

 work, divided the interior of the town, and formed regular streets. 



The chief, Faatu, received our party with great dignity and polite- 

 ness ; in the only house that in size and neatness approached those 

 of Taheiti. In the traffic for provisions which ensued, he was ob- 

 served to take no other part than occasionally to give directions for the 

 bringing of additional supplies. It appeared, that " he and his people 

 were regarded rather as neutral in the present difficulties, and were 

 not much disturbed." In the course of conversation he stated, that 

 " he was willing to have a missionary reside at the village, and for 

 such persons to follow his instructions, as might choose to do so ; but 

 it could not be expected that all should change their customs at 

 once." A resident White remarked, "that the heathen were less in- 

 clined to fight than the converted natives;" and there were other cir- 

 cumstances that abundantly indicated the aggressing party. 



I was surprised at the number of individuals wlio could speak a 

 little English, especially as it had not been acquired by serving on 

 board vessels. One man joined me while walking about the planta- 

 tions, and pointed out the kinds of soil that were favourable or other- 

 wise for the culture of bananas; though, for my own part, I was un- 



