re supposed sometimes to have the power of
witchcraft.

Two of the missionaries, when one day about to land at a place a short
distance from the settlement, were alarmed by nearly running the boat's
head on three human bodies, which lay close together by the water's edge
among some rushes; and upon inquiry they were informed that they were
the bodies of three slaves who had been killed that morning for
makootooing a chief, _i.e._ betwitching or praying evil prayers against
him, which had caused his death.[BU]

A common method which the priests use of bewitching those whom they mean
to destroy, is to curse them, which is universally believed to have a
fatal effect. The curse seems usually to be uttered in the shape of a
yell or song, so that the process is literally a species of incantation.
Bishop Newton, in his commentary on the scriptural account of Balaam
being sent for to curse the Israelites, says, "It was a superstitious
ceremony in use among the heathens, to devote their enemies to
destruction at the beginning of their wars; as if the gods would enter
into their passions, and were as unjust and partial as themselves."

The demeanour of most of the New Zealand priests is something so
entirely different from that observed by the ministers of religion in
civilized countries that it is not surprising Rutherford should have
failed to recognise them as belonging to that order.

Thus, we read of a priest who speaks of having killed, not by
enchantment, but in the usual way, with his own hands, both a woman who
had gone on board a ship contrary to his orders, and a man who had
stolen some potatoes.

Another is mentioned as having one day introduced himself into the house
of Mr. Williams, one of the missionaries, by springing over the fence,
and then, when his rude conduct was reproved, stripping himself to fight
with that gentleman. The same personage, who bore the venerable name of
Towee Taboo,[BV] or Holy Towee, a short time after attempted to break
Mr. Williams's door to pieces with a long pole; and when he could not
accomplish that object, effected his entrance by leaping over the fence
as before. What he now wanted, he said, was hootoo,[BW] or payment, for
a hurt which he had given his foot in performing this exploit on the
former occasion. When this strange demand was refused, he attempted to
set the house on fire; and having collected a mob of his friends, would
certainly have done so, had not another party o