The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-12-23

war-nOtes, il echoed through the vault with
singular beauty. Untaught though they
were in the rules Of harmony with which
the European delights his ear, these sava-
yes kept time, and modulated their voices
in wonderful manner, considering that
nature alone was their teacher. As their
wild chant waxed louder and louder, de-
noting their approaching footsteps, my
heart beat violently; but feeling that life
or death was in the balance, kept my
compoSure oy an almost supernatural ef-
fort, and stretching out my arms in the ut.
tltude of the idol, kept grave and firm
expression, and an erect form, and waited
to act Thy part They made their appear
ance. Foremost strobe the chief, Maun.
wana, the great leader Of the N1oranoos
lie was dressed in full Maori state cos.
tune; shawls Of flrx-in making which the
Manris are 50 wonderfully expert-huug
from his shoulder, aud shining with glass
beads instead Of fringes, swept the ground;
u plume of the feathers of tho kaulau
waved over his head, bound round with
strings of beads, aud his general aspect al.
together was lar from iguobe. The 9th
ers were dressed in an humber manner.
Amongst them [ noticed one who, from
his ornaments, must have been chief;
this filed my heart with joy, as | knew
there must be two canoes, as two chiefs
never 90 Together in one. They produced
their oiferin s, and laid them at my feet on
the stone. These consisted principally of
fishes, hut there were few ya.ns aud 9th
er Maori vegetables; these hitter were
probably offered by some inland tribes, as
l noticed by their costume, which was diff.
fereut from that of the Nooranoos. These
offerings were to propltiate the god OF
prosperity aud happiness. If they had
been sacrificing to some god of war, how
awful would have been my position, as hu.
man blood would assured!y have flowed at
my feet The offerings being placed on
the altar, they retired, and recommended
their wild chant. The chief seemed to
oti,iate as high priest asd chanted forth
petitions to the deity, which the others
chorussed. l translate the following:
CHIEF 30 great father, o m'gh,y IA
ther, o wise father, look on the children
Hook, look, look -
Others Eyes, yes, yes"
ChMf "Lot thy children not hunger
for want of food let not their eyes be like
eyes of dead fish with hunger"
Diners. Eyes, yes, yes p
Chief 80 great power, that ruleth all
fish, drive them int, our shores, that the
hearts our wyenas (wives) and our pican-
nini"s may be glat."
Others. Eyes )" &C.; and so on,
through long string of desired favors.-
| now saw that | should be safe enough
under my disguise, as, though the cav
ern was brilliantly lighted wi b maui
koo torches, around the altar it was c1m-
paratively dark, owing, suspect, to their
supcrstilious fears. knew that as soon as
they had finished their chant, they would
ip all Likelihood depart, as the rising tide
would compel them 50 to do; SO waited
auxlnusly till the song concluded.
just as the last peal OF their voices had
echoed through tho place, and they had
sprung to their feet to depart, l stretched
my arms to their widest, and mad with
excitement, cried in voice of thunder :
Children Maunwirior is pleased with
you he loves all his chiidren--he loves
the Noorauous best M1unwrrior will
ill your bay with fishes, aud make glad
the heart Of your women, aud the little
hearts ofyour picannines. Listen Two
cano bore the Nooranoos from their viii
lage; let them 90 back in one; let the
other be left here for your great god, that
Maunwirrior may 60 forth to bring bless
Jugs uuto his cailJren. Hear, then, Moo
rauoos let the canoe be ready for Maun
wirrior when he wishes! Go, my chill
dren, and obey
L finished, and, dropping my arms,
aguu resumed my former attitude. The
slvages bad stood terror-slrckeD during
my address, but were too fearful To fly;
my last commands reused hem, uttered
as they were in Il voice in which despair
and excitement were blended. My very
exc ,cment had saved me, making my voice
81 shril aud inhuman, tHat thy really
took it for the voice Of their deity.
Eagrr to obey the welcome command Of
god, they all rushed from the temple,
and shortly after yfuIly heard the noise
CT their paddles as they departed. | leap
ed down flom my weary stand, aud flung
myself on my knees i'll prayer and thanks
giving for my wonderful deliverance. |
FASTENED to tie entrance with anxious
steps. | was saved The Maories had
faithfully obeyed my commands, and a
large canoe was moored to the rocks, and
hoated lazily 90 the swell, which swept
the calm surface of the ocean the moon
was just breaking on the eastern horizon,
and mist hung over the sea. Provi
dence seemed to favour me, so sprung
into the boat, and padded out to sea,
where, catching favourable breeze, | soon
arrived at home-yes, home, for that mud
built sherlipg seemed indeed home, aud
| felt that was indeed amongst true.
hearted friends, as they embraced me with
! joy at my reappearance, and atfectionately