porter's journal. 



69 



ces into the sea ; but if they were disposed to be at peace, I 

 was willing to meet them on the same terms as the other 

 tribes, and only required an exchange of presents as a proof 

 of their friendly disposition. In reply, they required toknow 

 why they should desire a friendship with us, or why they 

 should bring us hogs and fruit ? If I was strong enough, 

 they knew I would come and take them ; that my not 

 doing so was an acknowledgment of my weakness ; and 

 that it was time enough to think of parting with them when 

 they could no longer keep their valley. I was desirous of 

 avoiding as long as possible hostilities with those people, 

 but was fearful that their example might change the con- 

 duct of others towards us. Their message was delivered 

 to me in the presence of Gattanewa, of Mouina, and many 

 of the friendly tribes. Mouina frothed with rage, and was 

 for proceeding to hostilities immediately ; but Gattanewa 

 became serious and dejected, and after a silence of a few 

 minutes told me he would send his son to advise them to be 

 friendly with us ; nay, said the old man, I will go myself; 

 they are not aware of the dreadful effects of bouhies, and 

 they must not suffer in consequence of their ignorance. I 

 told him to send his son, that he was too old to proceed to 

 so great a distance, and that I would wait his return before 

 I determined what course to pursue. In two days he re- 

 turned, and was desired by the Typees to tell Gattanewa 

 and all the people of the valley of Tieuhoy, that they were 

 cowards — that we had beat the Happahs because the Hap- 

 pahs were cowards ; that as to myself and my people, we 

 were white lizards, mere dirt ; and as the most contemp- 

 tible epithet which they could apply, said we were the 

 posteriors and the privates of the Taeehs. We were, 

 said they, incapable of standing fatigue, overcome by the 

 slightest heat and want of water, and could not climl3 the 

 mountains without Indians to assist us and carry our arms. 

 Yet we talked of chastising the Typees, a tribe which had 

 never been driven by an enemy, and as their gods informed 

 them were never to be beaten. They dared us to come 

 into their valley, and said they would convince us they did 

 not dread our bouhies as much as they were dreaded by 

 the cowardly tribes of the Taeehs, Flappahs, and Shouemes. 

 Tvlow, said Gattanewa, I consent to war, they deserve chas- 

 tisement: and Mouina shortly afterwards appeared at the 



