1792.
January. held converfations on this fubjefl, with a view to convince them, that
all intelleftual operations Were carried on in the head; at which they
would generally fmile, and intimate, that they had frequently feen men
recover whofe fkulls had been fraftured, and whofe heads had other-’
ways béen much injured; but that, in all cafes in which the .inteftinës
had been wounded, the perfons on a certainty died.-1 Other arguments
they would alfo advance in favor of their belief; fuch as the effeft o f
fear, and other paffions, which caufed great agitation and uneafinefs,
and would fometimes produce ficknefs at the flomach, which they attributed
infirely to the aCtion of the bowels. I f therefore this reafoning be
admitted, it would appear probable that the inteftines of Mahow were
depólited at the morai under the mountains; and as it is natural to
imagine they would confider the foul moll attached to thofe mortal parts
which bore to it the greateft affinity, fo wherever thofe parts were depo-
fited, there they may probably fuppofe the foul occafionally reforts.
And hence it may be inferred, that it is in the .placès made facred by
the depofit of thefe relics, that the ceremony of chief mourner, habited
in the parie, is performed; whofe bulinefs it is to keep off the in-
quifitive,- and to maintain as far as poffible a profound filence over a
certain fpace in Which he parades; having a kind of mace, armed with
lhark’s teeth, borne before him by a man almoft naked, whofe duty is
to affail any one with this formidable weapon, who may have the temerity
to venture within his reach. This may account for, Whytooae difin-
clination to permit our gentlemen to vifit the morai; the apparently de-
ferted houfes; and the apprehenfions of the guide, who llarted at the
leaff interruption of the profound and folemn filence which prevailed
in that neighbourhood.
CH A P T E R
C H A P T E R VII.
Two 'natives punifhed fo r theft— Obfequies o f Mahow— Several articles
ftolen— Meafures far their recovery— Towereroo the Sandwich ijlander
abfc.onds— Brought back by Pomurrey— Sailfrom Matavai bay— Character
o f Pomurrey— His wives— Changes in the government o f Otaheite—
AJironomical and ,nautical obfervations.
O n the morning of the 17 th, we were vifited by the young king, his
uncles, and feveral other chiefs from Oparre. Two men had been de-
tefted in Healing a hat from on board the Difcovery; and, as feveral
other petty thefts had been committed at the encampment, I defired the
delinquents to be fent on Ihore, that they might be punifhed in the
prefence of their'chiefs, and countrymen; which was done by fhaving
their heads, and bellowing on each a flight manual correflion.
A meffage was received from Pomurrey, requefling my attendance at
Oparre, to “ tiehah," that is, to mourn for the death of Mahow. It
was underflood to be much wilhed, that we fhould be provided to fire
fome vollies ; and that I fhould prefent, on this occafion, a piece of
red cloth as an offering to the deceafed. I was informed alfo that molt of
the neighbouring chiefs were to pay their lafl tribute of refpeft to the
remains of Mahow, and that the ceremony would confequently be attended
with many formalities; but on our arrival at Oparre there did not appear
the leafl foundation for any fuch report. Mr. Broughton and
Mr.Whidbey Accompanied me. On our landing, we were conducted to
a temporary habitation of Pomurrey, where wc found him, his wives,
and fiflers, in readinefs to receive us. Some little concern was certainly,
apparent for the lofsof their friend and relation ; though very unequal to
the affliction I expelled to have witnefled, from the great care, and ten-
R 2 der
>792.
January;-
Tuefday 17.