e threading of the screws about the trigger was completely
worn away; while the barrel shook in the wood. Such was the weapon the
chief desired me to restore to its original condition. As I did not
possess the accomplishments of a gunsmith, and was likewise destitute of
the necessary tools, I was reluctantly obliged to signify my inability to
perform the task. At this unexpected communication Mehevi regarded me, for
a moment, as if he half suspected I was some inferior sort of white man,
who after all did not know much more than a Typee. However, after a most
laboured explanation of the matter, I succeeded in making him understand
the extreme difficulty of the task. Scarcely satisfied with my apologies,
however, he marched off with the superannuated musket in something of a
huff, as if he would no longer expose it to the indignity of being
manipulated by such unskilful fingers.

[Illustration: MEHEVI]

During the festival, I had not failed to remark the simplicity of manner,
the freedom from all restraint, and, to a certain degree, the equality of
condition manifested by the natives in general. No one appeared to assume
any arrogant pretensions. There was little more than a slight difference
in costume to distinguish the chiefs from the other natives. All appeared
to mix together freely, and without any reserve; although I noticed that
the wishes of a chief, even when delivered in the mildest tone, received
the same immediate obedience which elsewhere would have been only accorded
to a peremptory command. What may be the extent of the authority of the
chiefs over the rest of the tribe, I will not venture to assert; but from
all I saw during my stay in the valley, I was induced to believe that in
matters concerning the general welfare it was very limited. The required
degree of deference towards them, however, was willingly and cheerfully
yielded; and as all authority is transmitted from father to son, I have no
doubt that one of the effects here, as elsewhere, of high birth, is to
induce respect and obedience.

The particular grades of rank existing among the chiefs of Typee, I could
not in all cases determine. Previous to the Feast of Calabashes, I had
been puzzled what particular station to assign to Mehevi. But the
important part he took upon that occasion convinced me that he had no
superior among the inhabitants of the valley. I had invariably noticed a
certain degree of deference paid to him by all with whom I