Drawing aside into the bushes we awaited their coming up, and as they drew near we observed that it was a procession of the natives, many of whom were dancing and gesticulating in the most frantic manner.They had an exceedingly hideous aspect, owing to the black, red, and yellow paints with which their faces and naked bodies were bedaubed.In the midst of these came a band of men carrying three or four planks, on which were seated in rows upwards of a dozen men.I shuddered involuntarily as I recollected the sacrifice of human victims at the island of Emo, and turned with a look of fear to Jack as I said, -"Oh, Jack! I have a terrible dread that they are going to commit some of their cruel practices on these wretched men.We had better not go to the temple.We shall only be horrified without being able to do any good, for I fear they are going to kill them."Jack's face wore an expression of deep compassion as he said, in a low voice, "No fear, Ralph; the sufferings of these poor fellows are over long ago."I turned with a start as he spoke, and, glancing at the men, who were now quite near to the spot where we stood, saw that they were all dead.They were tied firmly with ropes in a sitting posture on the planks, and seemed, as they bent their sightless eye-balls and grinning mouths over the dancing crew below, as if they were laughing in ghastly mockery at the utter inability of their enemies to hurt them now.These, we discovered afterwards, were the men who had been slain in the battle of the previous day, and were now on their way to be first presented to the gods, and then eaten.
Behind these came two men leading between them a third, whose hands were pinioned behind his back.He walked with a firm step, and wore a look of utter indifference on his face, as they led him along; so that we concluded he must be a criminal who was about to receive some slight punishment for his faults.The rear of the procession was brought up by a shouting crowd of women and children, with whom we mingled and followed to the temple.
Here we arrived in a few minutes.The temple was a tall circular building, open at one side.Around it were strewn heaps of human bones and skulls.At a table inside sat the priest, an elderly man, with a long gray beard.He was seated on a stool, and before him lay several knives, made of wood, bone, and splinters of bamboo, with which he performed his office of dissecting dead bodies.Farther in lay a variety of articles that had been dedicated to the god, and among them were many spears and clubs.Iobserved among the latter some with human teeth sticking in them, where the victims had been clubbed in their mouths.
Before this temple the bodies, which were painted with vermilion and soot, were arranged in a sitting posture; and a man, called a "dan-vosa" (orator), advanced, and, laying his hands on their heads, began to chide them, apparently, in a low bantering tone.
What he said we knew not, but, as he went on, he waxed warm, and at last shouted to them at the top of his lungs, and finally finished by kicking the bodies over and running away, amid the shouts and laughter of the people, who now rushed forward.Seizing the bodies by a leg, or an arm, or by the hair of the head, they dragged them over stumps and stones and through sloughs, until they were exhausted.The bodies were then brought back to the temple and dissected by the priest, after which they were taken out to be baked.
Close to the temple a large fire was kindled, in which stones were heated red hot.When ready these were spread out on the ground, and a thick coating of leaves strewn over them to slack the heat.
On this "lovo," or oven, the bodies were then placed, covered over, and left to bake.
The crowd now ran, with terrible yells, towards a neighbouring hill or mound, on which we observed the frame-work of a house lying ready to be erected.Sick with horror, yet fascinated by curiosity, we staggered after them mechanically, scarce knowing where we were going or what we did, and feeling a sort of impression that all we saw was a dreadful dream.
Arrived at the place, we saw the multitude crowding round a certain spot.We pressed forward and obtained a sight of what they were doing.A large wooden beam or post lay on the ground, beside the other parts of the frame-work of the house, and close to the end of it was a hole about seven feet deep and upwards of two feet wide.
While we looked, the man whom we had before observed with his hands pinioned, was carried into the circle.His hands were now free, but his legs were tightly strapped together.The post of the house was then placed in the hole, and the man put in beside it.His head was a good way below the surface of the hole, and his arms were clasped round the post.Earth was now thrown in until all was covered over and stamped down; and this, we were afterwards told, was a CEREMONY usually performed at the dedication of a new temple, or the erection of a chief's house "Come, come," cried Jack, on beholding this horrible tragedy, "we have seen enough, enough, far more than enough! Let us go."Jack's face looked ghastly pale and haggard as we hurried back to rejoin the teacher, and I have no doubt that he felt terrible anxiety when he considered the number and ferocity of the savages, and the weakness of the few arms which were ready indeed to essay, but impotent to effect, Avatea's deliverance from these ruthless men.
