MERE MERE. 
195 
loins, or suspended across their shoulders like scarves ; 
others were similarly decorated with the green leaves 
of a strongly scented weed and dried grass. At a 
given signal all were in readiness, armed with clubs, 
spears, and battle-axes, which were fantastically 
decorated with coloured paint ; while from their 
large war-fans, of which a goodly number were dis- 
played, floated long streamers of tapa, as delicate 
and white as the finest muslin. The music was pro- 
duced by an extensive orchestra, from instruments 
made of hollow bamboo, which were beaten by short 
sticks or by striking the ground, and excellent time 
was kept by singing and shouting. The dancers 
worked themselves up to a pitch of excitement, 
making the most violent gesticulations, and waving 
their arms about frantically ; and this scene, being 
illuminated by the fitful glare of numbers of 
torches, was one of a most interesting character. 
On its completion, all returned to the ship well 
pleased. 
The natives are a fine race, and doubtless possess 
many good qualities ; formerly they were pre- 
eminently bloodthirsty, ferocious, and cruel. Can- 
nibalism was then indulged in to an incredible 
extent; and this not from mere satisfaction of re- 
venge, but to satisfy appetite, friend, relation, or foe 
equally affording food to the most powerful, Tese 
degrading features, however, are rapidly passing 
away, under the influences of the Christianising 
