Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-08-03


are too heavy to be dragged over the mountains
The trophy or trophies being thus secured, are
cut into as maj ny parts as possible, and given to
the numerous gods to propitiate them and to pro-
cure from them good luck. These gods are usu-
ally.uncouth figures, but by oversight omitted to
examine Daniel on this subject. He spoke con-
temptiously of the people for believeing just what
their doctor priests told them-said that they told
them all sorts of things-but did not of his own
will, particularize any.
As they are savage in their war with hostile
tribes, so they rude and brutal in their peace
amongst themselves. From some cause or anoth-
er Daniel was constantly attacked by the women
of the tribe who, half in savage fun and half earn
est, used to seize him by the beard and hair and
shake him; this they could often do without fear
of his wrath, as more than two or three would
set on him at once He considered that the at
tention was paid chiefly in fun; but he had often
to thrash the ladies vigorously before they would
set him free. The men are are not commonly
savage among themselves, man to man-rather
as man to woman. He had seen men thrashing
women with the butt of musket and had known
limbs to be broken in this way. In such cases,
it would be of no use for the wife to go home to
her father; he would thrash her again and send
her back. 1t is not often that actual murder
takes place; when it does atonement is made to
the friends of the deceased by presents or the
derer driven out into another tribe.
The islanders have enough regard for their
friends to show the delicate abstinence of not
eating them-whether killed in battle or by
chance. They never inter their dead but take
them out to distance in the woods where a rude
cane hut is built to protect each corpse from the
sun and rain; a sort of trough is made for the
dead mans bed, in which his body is left. Two
days afterwards is hog killed, cooked and de-
posted by the bedside. This is done under the
impression that the dead require food like the
living, and the supply is continued long after the
flesh has crumbled into dust, in fact until the
family of the defunct has itself become extinct
1t forms one of the chief occupations of the life
of the living to convey food to the dead. Unlike
some other savage nations, they keep the old
people during the helplessness of age with assd-
uous care; the younger members of the family
or of the tribe, supply them regularly with pro-
visions. = = - --z- =
The climate is warm, genial and healthy, sick
mentioned, the population is on the decrease
Daniel was not aware that any European disease
had been introduced, nor were the people habitu-
ally given to intoxication @-5a>
All the natives of the Marqueas have numerous
names Daniel himselfhad thirty, which belong
ed, in fact, to graver class of nicknames. His
most common title Q write it from the sound)
was Touanahheematehei or (Tou-an-ae-ma-te-o-
ey) which means "the great chief" 7
The tribe with which Daniel herded was, ifsI
recolleet rightly, named the Cauachas, and his
residence on the island called by the natives
Motan. He gave me, however, the name of the
surrounding Islands at the same time. but I am
not quite sure that have retained the proper one
but it was either Mat or Magdalena. The others
are Magdalena, Fatuiva, Toowata, Domenivue,
Rahuga, and Nukuhiva. s s1 ~<
After Daniel had been on the island about six
wears, he and another white from another island
began, with the assistance Of the natives, to build
IA schooner with which they hoped to trade to Cal
ifornia, and the west coast of America When
they had been at work for about six months Dan
iel was attacked with dysentery, became very low
and weak. At that time an American ship pass
ed the island, and boat came ashore (the men
being well armed in search of wood and water.
Daniel Invent on board the ship, telling the natives
that he should return. Had they thought him
anxious to escape from them they would, no doubt
have kept him prisoner until the ship was gone.
He went on board, the captain promised fair to
him, so he left the Island; not, he says, without
some regret, it is now nineteen months since he
escaped. ,sas~--@-
The man is we'll looking fellow, (barring the
marks upon his face,) and it is, perhaps worthy of
remark, that he has peculiarly, soft voice,
which, I cannot help thinking must have been
formed or improved by his long residence among
a people whose language is without harsh sounds
of gutturals. @ z @