laid down on their right, and the second on their left.  When the third was presented, a stout-looking man, who sat behind the other two, reached his arm over between them, and made a snatch at it; as also did the other two at the very same time.  Thus they seemed to contend for every fish that was presented; but as there were two hands against one, besides the advantage of situation, the man behind got nothing but pieces; for he never quitted his bold, till the fish was torn out of his hand, and what little remained in it he shook out behind him.  The others laid what they got on the right and left alternately.  At length, either by accident or design, the man behind got possession of a whole fish, without either of the other two so much as touching it.  At this the word mareeai, which signifies very good or well done, was uttered in a low voice throughout the whole crowd.  It seemed that he had performed now all that was expected from him, for he made no attempt upon the few fish that came after.  These fish, as also the baskets, were all delivered, by the persons who brought them in, sitting; and, in the same order and manner, the small poles, which the first procession carried, had been laid upon the ground.

The last procession being closed, there was some speaking or praying by different persons.  Then, on some signal being given, we all started up, ran several paces to the left, and sat down with our backs to the prince, and the few who remained with him; I was desired not to look behind me.  However, neither this injunction nor the remembrance of Lot’s wife, discouraged me from facing about.  I now saw that the prince had turned his face to the morai.  But this last movement had brought so many people between him and me, that I could not perceive what was doing.  I was afterward assured, that, at this very time, the prince was admitted to the high honour of eating with his father, which, till now, had never been permitted to him; a piece of roasted yam being presented to each of them for this purpose; This was the more probable, as we had been told before-hand, that this was to happen during the solemnity, and as all the people turned their backs to them at this time, which they always do when their monarch eats.

After some little time, we all faced about, and formed a semicircle before the prince, leaving a large open space between us.  Presently there appeared some men coming toward us, two and two, bearing large sticks or poles upon their shoulders, making a noise that might be called singing, and waving their hands as they advanced.  When they had got close up to us, they made a shew of walking very fast, without proceeding a single step.  Immediately after, three or four men started up from the crowd, with large sticks in their hands, who ran toward those newcomers.  The latter instantly threw down the poles from their shoulders, and scampered off; and the others attacked the poles, and, having beat them most unmercifully,