id was, that the leaping figures before
me were bereaved widows, whose partners had been slain in battle many
moons previously; and who, at every festival, gave public evidence in this
manner of their calamities. It was evident that Kory-Kory considered this
an all-sufficient reason for so indecorous a custom; but I must say that
it did not satisfy me as to its propriety.

Leaving these afflicted females, we passed on to the Hoolah Hoolah ground.
Within the spacious quadrangle, the whole population of the valley seemed
to be assembled, and the sight presented was truly remarkable. Beneath the
sheds of bamboo which opened towards the interior of the square, reclined
the principal chiefs and warriors, while a miscellaneous throng lay at
their ease under the enormous trees, which spread a majestic canopy
overhead. Upon the terraces of the gigantic altars, at either end, were
deposited green bread-fruit in baskets of cocoa-nut leaves, large rolls of
tappa, bunches of white bananas, clusters of mammee-apples, the
golden-hued fruit of the artu tree, and baked hogs, laid out in large
wooden trenchers, fancifully decorated with freshly-plucked leaves, whilst
a variety of rude implements of war were piled in confused heaps before
the ranks of hideous idols. Fruits of various kinds were likewise
suspended in leafen baskets, from the tops of poles planted uprightly, and
at regular intervals, along the lower terraces of both altars. At their
base were arranged two parallel rows of cumbersome drums, standing at
least fifteen feet in height, and formed from the hollow trunks of large
trees. Their heads were covered with shark skins, and their barrels were
elaborately carved with various quaint figures and devices. At regular
intervals, they were bound round by a species of sinnate of various
colours, and strips of native cloth flattened upon them here and there.
Behind these instruments were built slight platforms, upon which stood a
number of young men, who, beating violently with the palms of their hands
upon the drum-heads, produced those outrageous sounds which had awakened
me in the morning. Every few minutes these musical performers hopped down
from their elevation into the crowd below, and their places were
immediately supplied by fresh recruits. Thus an incessant din was kept up
that might have startled Pandemonium.

Precisely in the middle of the quadrangle were placed perpendicularly in
the ground a hundred or more slender,