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.
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