PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
221 
April, 
1826. 
family, as well as himself, were priests of the god to whom it was conse- CHAP, 
crated. It differs in several respects from the account given by Mr. Ellis ; 
but I insert it as related to Mr. Belcher by the chief. The great- 
grandfather of Taati, the present chief, whose name holds a conspicuous 
place in the wars of Pomarree, was defeated in a pitched battle by the 
king. The chief, incensed at the god under whose protection he fought. 
Went to Ulietea, and by devotion, presents, and promises, induced 
the god of that place, Oroo, to accompany him to Otaheite. On his 
return, the new and, as it was supposed, powerful god, so inspired the 
refugee party with courage, that they again rallied around their chief, 
and so forcibly did the superstition of those dark ages operate, that 
the king, before victorious, was now repeatedly beaten and driven to 
the opposite side of the island. The chief, having secured tranquillity 
to his district, began to construct the morai above alluded to, which 
Was of such magnitude as to require two years for its completion. It 
Was then dedicated to the god whose presence had achieved for him 
such repeated victories. 
The change effected in the circumstances of the chief of Papara, 
by the introduction of this new god, acquired for the deity a reputation 
beyond any thing that had been known in Otaheite ; and the king 
determined to obtain possession of it. By bribing the priests, he was 
allowed to pay his devotions to it, and afterwards to fight under his 
auspices, which he did, and ultimately obtained possession of the god 
bimself. A morai was then built for it in the valley of Atehuru, 
situated between Mirapaye and Papiete ; memorable as the place where 
the last battle was fought which decided the cause between Chris- 
tianity and paganism, and crowned with success the labours of the 
nfissionaries, who for eighteen years had been unremitting in their en- 
deavours to accomplish this great end ; this valley is also celebrated 
in consequence of a strong-hold on an eminence near it, where the 
old men and women used to retire in all cases of attack upon the district. 
In this last and important battle Taati’s brother lost his life, supporting 
the last the cause of idolatry. Taati himself had been converted 
to the new faith, and M^as joined with Pomarree in opposition to his 
I'nlation. 
