BRUTALITY OF THE VICTORS. 311 
drawn up and down: other dead bodies were placed 
on the ground beneath, and beaten with the stalk of 
the cocoa-nut leaf, in the place of drums ; to the 
horrid music, thus produced, the suspended body 
was made to move, for the mirth of the thousands 
who assembled to witness the sport; and such was 
the interest of these exhibitions, that the natives 
say they never thought of taking food at the time. 
Other brutalities were practised towards the 
slain, which I never could have believed, had they 
not been told by the individuals who had been 
engaged in them, but which, though I do not 
doubt their authenticity, are improper to detail. I 
should not have dwelt so long on the distressing 
facts that have been given, but to exhibit in the 
true, though by no means strongest colours, the 
savage character and brutal conduct of those, who 
have been represented as enjoying, in their rude 
and simple state, a high degree of happiness, and 
cultivating all that is amiable and benevolent. 
The bodies of the slain being now abandoned 
by the victors, they turned their attention to 
the division of the spoils, the appropriation of 
the country, &c. In connexion with this, the 
rani arua was performed, and was indeed con¬ 
sidered as a part of the ceremony of devoting 
the slain to the gods. A human sacrifice 
was procured, and offered, principally to secure 
the return of the occupations and amusements of 
peace; feasting, dancing, &c. The burden of 
the prayer was —Tutavae aua i te po, Roonui 
arena homai te ao , &c. and which may be ren¬ 
dered, “ Let the god of war return to the world of 
night: Let Roo the god of peace preside in the 
world, or place of light,” &c. 
The local situation of the people, and their 
