MYTHOLOGY. 
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and as the contrary by the others ; had the besieged not 
been intimidated, but fought courageously and conquered, 
then it would doubtless have been considered a favorable 
omen for them ; it is according to the result that such 
sights are estimated, and as many are seen without anything 
remarkable occurring, nothing is thought of them, but only of 
the few which are attended with any particular consequence, 
as in this instance. A similar circumstance occurred to me 
during a journey into the interior of the island. I was preach- 
ing from the words, “ Behold I saw Satan like lightning fall 
from heaven,” and had no sooner concluded, than the chapel, 
a dark building of raupo, with only the door and a small 
aperture to admit the light, was suddenly illuminated ; we 
all rushed out, and saw a splendid meteor, like a drawn 
sword ; my congregation with almost one voice exclaimed, 
et there is Satan falling from heaven.” The ancient image 
of Tane in Tahaiti was represented as a meteor, cone-shaped 
with a large head, the body terminating in a point, with a 
long tail, the form evidently taken from that of a meteor or 
comet, thus proving that such celestial bodies were regarded 
as visible manifestations of deity. 
The High Chiefs, or Arikis, as well as the Tohungas, 
were thought able, at all times, to hold visible intercourse 
with their ancestors. Their gods were supposed even to form 
attachments with females, and pay them repeated visits ; a 
remarkable instance of this kind fell under my notice. One 
morning a native came with a very long countenance, and 
said, the Taupos were coming to fight against us, to put an 
end to the “ waka pono,” or faith, as the Christian religion is 
called. I inquired where he got the news from ; he told me 
a female named Erina had seen the enemy ; and upon 
further questioning him, he said the Atua, who was in love 
with her, had showed her the hostile party; I laughed at 
him, and replied, if that were all he knew about the Taupo 
enemy, I should not have much fear, I went, however, to 
the woman, and told her I was sorry to hear she had been 
spreading such an idle tale ; she said it was not her, but the 
spirit who came to her. I inquired how did he inform you 
