286 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
When their modes of attack were deliberate, 
the celebrated warriors of each army occasionally 
marched forward beyond the first line of the body 
to which they belonged, and, on approaching the 
ranks of the enemy, sat down on the sand or the 
grass. Two or three from one of these parties 
would then rise, and, advancing a few yards 
towards their opponents, boastfully challenge them 
to the combat. When the challenge was accepted, 
which it often was with the utmost promptitude, the 
combatants advanced with intimidating menaces. 
These often addressed each other by recounting 
their names, the names and deeds of their ances¬ 
tors, their own achievements in combat, the 
prowess of their arms, and the augmented fame 
they should acquire by the addition of their pre¬ 
sent foes to the number of those they had already 
slain; in conclusion, inviting them to advance, 
that they might be devoted to their god, who was 
hovering by to receive the sacrifice. With taunt¬ 
ing scorn the antagonist would reply much in the 
same strain, sometimes mingling affected pity with 
his denunciations. When they had finished their 
harangue, the omoreaa , club of insult, or insulting 
spear, was raised, and the onset commenced. 
Sometimes it was a single combat, fought in the 
space between the two armies, and in sight of both. 
At other times, several men engaged on both 
sides, when those not engaged, though fully armed 
and equipped, kept their seat on the ground. If a 
single combat, when one was disabled or slain, the 
victor would challenge another; and seldom thought 
of retreating, so long as one remained. When a 
number were engaged, and one fell, a warrior from 
his own party rose, and maintained the struggle ; 
when either party retreated, the ranks of the army 
