THE PAPUAN RACE. 



155 



even Tanoa was obliged to send our present of a rifle, to a distant 

 part of the group, lest it should be seen and claimed by Thokanauto. 

 So absolute is this regulation, that on the occasion of a battle between 

 the Rewa and Mbau people, Thokanauto actually "supplied himself 

 with ammunition from the ranks of the enemy." 



It appears that there are several degrees in Feejeean warfare, cor- 

 responding, according to Thokanauto, to the force of the challenge ; 

 and only certain expressions of defiance are prosecuted to final exter- 

 mination. In describing one of his exploits in the Interior, he stated, 

 " that the river ran blood :" and from another source, we heard of a 

 battle in which "six hundred persons were slaughtered." It was 

 evident, however, that in their frequent and bloody wars, the Fee- 

 jeeans are not influenced by views of extending their possessions, 

 according to the European idea of conquests. 



Notwithstanding the slippery tenure of Feejee royalty, the honour 

 is sought with a devotion, perhaps unparalleled elsewhere. "O yes," 

 said Thokanauto, "me would like to be king; me would like to walk 

 about and say, do this thing, and do that." The path was a very 

 plain one; and in extenuation it may be observed, that the institution 

 of polygamy virtually dissolves the ties of relationship. 



A Feejeean king has no scruples in putting a subject out of the 

 way, even on the most trivial occasions : and Thokanauto gave as an 

 instance, the accidental " breaking of a cup." We heard from another 

 source, that the executioner usually communicates his errand with a 

 harangue; and that the victim submits without resistance or attempt- 

 ing to escape, often simply remarking, that " whatever the king says, 

 must be done." Thokanauto himself had been sometimes charged 

 with such commissions. He acknowledged having killed as many as 

 fifty persons with his own hands. On our explaining to him the rule 

 of European nations in regard to murder, he appeared surprised and 

 thoughtful for a time, and at length exclaimed, "ah! no good law, no 

 good." 



He stated that he had been "a very wicked boy," and described 

 some of his juvenile pranks. He admitted that at the same period of 

 life, he had once unwittingly "tasted human flesh; his father after- 

 wards frightening him, by producing the hand." Residents how- 

 ever asserted, that he had been reared in no inconsiderable degree 

 upon this species of food; and considering the unusual pains be- 

 stowed on his education, such a circumstance is not so improbable as 

 it may appear at a distance. One, who has had many opportunities 



