Wishing to see their war-dances, I requested the chief Pomare to gratify
us with an exhibition, which he consented to do. The ground chosen was
the hillside of Mr. Clendon, our consul's place, where between three and
four hundred natives, with their wives and children, assembled. Pomare
divided the men into three parties or squads, and stationed these at
some distance from each other. Shortly after this was done, I received a
message from him, to say that they were all hungry, and wanted me to
treat them to something to eat. This was refused until they had finished
their dance, and much delay took place in consequence. Pomare and his
warriors were at first immoveable; but they, in a short time, determined
they would unite on the hill-top, which was accordingly ordered,
although I was told they were too hungry to dance well. Here they
arranged themselves in a solid column, and began stamping, shouting,
jumping, and shaking their guns, clubs, and paddles in the air, with
violent gesticulations, to a sort of savage time. A more grotesque group
cannot well be imagined; dressed, half-dressed, or entirely naked. After
much preliminary action, they all set off, with a frantic shout, at full
speed in a war-charge, which not only put to flight all the animals that
were feeding in the neighbourhood, but startled the spectators. After
running about two hundred and fifty yards, they fired their guns and
halted, with another shout. They then returned in the same manner, and
stopped before us, a truly savage multitude, wrought up to apparent
frenzy, and exhibiting all the modes practised of maiming and killing
their enemies, until they became exhausted, and lay down on the ground
like tired dogs, panting for breath. One of the chiefs then took an old
broken dragoon-sword, and began running to and fro before us,
flourishing it, and, at the same time, delivering a speech at the top of
his voice. The speech, as interpreted to me, ran thus: "You are welcome,
you are our friends, and we are glad to see you," frequently repeated.
After three or four had shewn off in this way, they determined they must
have something to eat, saying that I had promised them rice and sugar,
and they ought to have it. Mr. Clendon, however, persuaded them to give
one of their feast-dances. The performers consisted of about fifteen
old, and as many young persons, whom they arranged in close order. The
young girls laid aside a part of their dress to exhibit their forms to
more advantage, and they commenced a kind of recitative, accompanied by
all manner of gesticulations, with a sort of guttural husk for a chorus.
It was not necessary to understand their language to comprehend their
meaning; and it is unnecessary to add, that their tastes did not appear
very refined, but were similar to what we have constantly observed among
the heathen nations of Polynesia. Their impatience now became
ungovernable; and hearing that the rice and sugar were being served out,
they retreated precipitately down the hill, where they all set to most
heartily, with their wives and children, to devour the food. This, to
me, was the most entertaining part of the exhibition. They did not
appear selfish towards each other; the children were taken care of, and
all seemed to enjoy themselves. I received many thanks in passing among
them, and their countenances betokened contentment. Although they were
clothed for the occasion in their best, they exhibited but a squalid and
dirty appearance, both in their dress and persons.
* * * * *
We now end our extracts from this very entertaining Work,--upon the
resources of which we have so largely drawn,--by the history of Paddy
Connel, as described by himself, and who had been a resident among the
Feejeean savages for nearly forty years.