ith a slow and dignified step of a
full-dressed beau I ascended the rock.

CHAPTER XXII

The Feast of Calabashes.

The whole population of the valley seemed to be gathered within the
precincts of the grove. In the distance could be seen the long front of
the Ti, its immense piazza swarming with men, arrayed in every variety of
fantastic costume, and all vociferating with animated gestures; while the
whole interval between it and the place where I stood was enlivened by
groups of females fancifully decorated, dancing, capering, and uttering
wild exclamations. As soon as they descried me they set up a shout of
welcome; and a band of them came dancing towards me, chanting as they
approached some wild recitative. The change in my garb seemed to transport
them with delight, and clustering about me on all sides, they accompanied
me towards the Ti. When, however, we drew near it, these joyous nymphs
paused in their career, and parting on either side, permitted me to pass
on to the now densely thronged building.

So soon as I mounted to the pi-pi I saw at a glance that the revels were
fairly under way.

What lavish plenty reigned around!--Warwick feasting his retainers with
beef and ale, was a niggard to the noble Mehevi!--All along the piazza of
the Ti were arranged elaborately-carved canoe-shaped vessels, some twenty
feet in length, filled with newly-made poee-poee, and sheltered from the
sun by the broad leaves of the banana. At intervals were heaps of green
bread-fruit, raised in pyramidical stacks, resembling the regular piles of
heavy shot to be seen in the yard of an arsenal. Inserted into the
interstices of the huge stones which formed the pi-pi were large boughs of
trees; hanging from the branches of which, and screened from the sun by
their foliage, were innumerable little packages with leafy coverings
containing the meat of the numerous hogs which had been slain, done up in
this manner to make it more accessible to the crowd. Leaning against the
railing of the piazza were an immense number of long, heavy bamboos,
plugged at the lower end, and with their projecting muzzles stuffed with a
wad of leaves. These were filled with water from the stream, and each of
them might hold from four to five gallons.

The banquet being thus spread, nought remained but for every one to help
himself at his pleasure. Accordingly, not a moment passed but the
transp