To Clear Up This Seeming
Contradiction, I Must Observe, That The One Was Prejudiced Against, And The
Other In Favour Of, This Isle.
The produce of the islands, the manners and customs of the natives, &c.
having been treated at large in
The narrative of my former voyage, it will
be unnecessary to take notice of these subjects in this, unless where I can
add new matter, or clear up any mistakes which may have been committed.
As I had some reason to believe, that amongst their religious customs,
human sacrifices were sometimes considered as necessary, I went one day to
a Marai in Matavai, in company with Captain Furneaux; having with
us, as I had upon all other occasions, one of my men who spoke their
language tolerably well, and several of the natives, one of whom appeared
to be an intelligent sensible man. In the Marai was a
Tupapow, on which lay a corpse and some viands; so that every thing
promised success to my enquiries. I began with asking questions relating to
the several objects before me, if the plantains, &c. were for the
Eatua? If they sacrificed to the Eatua, hogs, dogs, fowls,
&c.? To all of which he answered in the affirmative. I then asked, If they
sacrificed men to the Eatua? He answered Taata eno; that is,
bad men they did, first Tipperahy, or beating them till they were
dead. I then asked him, If good men were put to death in this manner?
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