The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-03-28

the native and white missionary teachers
lent their aid aud counsel in the defense.
Several of the Burautuans were taken
prisoners, and brought to King Thokam,
bau.
Among the captives were Kina bose
Yaca, Kora Tumasamora, and the dwraf,
Gen. Ra Biau, previously mentioned.
General Ra Biau, the intrepid Lillput,
displayed the most dauntless bravery dur
ing the fight, having killed four of Tho
kambau's valiant warriors with his own
hands, although they were Perizitian
giants compared to him. According to
the Fijian code, these captives were con
demned to death by the most cruel and
systematic torture, viz: To have their
tongues cut out, their brains eaten, and
their skulls concerted into drinking caps,
'chile the bones of their bodies acre to be
vanquishers.
However much we deprecate this cruel
custom of the Fjian King, it must be re,
membered that in this treacherous act Of
his ancient enemy, hundred of his brav-
est men had been killed. besides suffer
ing the additional insult offered to his
friends the Missionaries, whom be vowed
to defend.
Among the enemies captives, there
were none so imperious and scornful as
the fearless little General Ra Biau. His
walk and mien, although he is but little
less than four feet high, would do credit
to an oriental Sultan, while his skill with
the club, spear, bow and javelin, excites
both the terror and admiration of all who
behold him.
The Missionaries, not wishing to see
Canuibalism revived, determined to in
terfere in behalf of the captives.
1t may be well to remark, en- passant,
that although nominally King Thokam
bau processes belief in lhe advance theo-
ries of civilization, yet it must be confess
ed that on this occasion his actions were
not in accord with his pretensions, and
there is no doubt but his savage instincts
are kept in abeyance only, through fear
of incurring the displeasure of his foreign
subjects, or diyerting the channel of trade
which has for number of years been
steadily flowing toward Ma Viii Levu.
The resident Missionaries, failing to
induce King Thokambau to reprieve his
death sentence, sought the influence of
the American Consul, DIR. j. w. Brauer,
to have them sent out of the empire. At
| this juDcture, Mr.. Barnum's agent at
| Levuka, w. G. Gardenhire, proposed to
take them, and pay Th okambau large
sum for the use of them, and gave bonds
in SIS 900 for their safe return in three
Ii
sons for encouraging this humane pro-
ject, aud through their influence, and that
of the American Consul, the proposition
was accepted, the necessary bonds given,
and certified by the American Consul
and the four Fijian specimens whose
names appear at the head of this article,
are already numbered among the living
human curiosities of p T. Barnum's s
show. The Princes Otevah, grand baugh
ter of Thokambau, a Missionary convert,
was encouraged by them to accept this
opportunity Of travelling in the United
States, to become familiar with the modes
and customs of civilization, In order the
better to prosecute her missionary laborsi
in Polynesia on her return. Besides
these considerations, her familiarity with
the Fiji language, and her ability to in
terpret the Scriptures might be the means
Of converting these savages from their
pernicious habits, and instrumental for
good at some future time.
The dress or costume Of these singular
beings is of the rudest kind. In their
native country they appear almost entire
ly nude. A fancy head dress, necklace
of pointed whales teeth, fantastic belt
called lihu, from which depend multi
clored mast, composed of strips Of native
cloth beaten out of the bark of the Papuan
Mulberry, and dyed in different colors,
are fastened to cincture, or broad band
of variegated braid work which encircles
the waist, the ends extending down from
three to ten inches deep, according to cir
cumstances. The higher the rank, the
more elaborate the costume, and the more
expansive the method of decorating the
hair, some head dresses girting from three
to FIVE feet in circumference. Among
the common class, in place of the eiabro
ately made masi simple kind of sash is
worn around the waist, made OF long stsips
of white native cloth, wound several times
around the body, the ends being gathered
into curious festoons, while flament OF
dark stuff, resembling coarse hemp, made
from the stems of parasite called 'oa(od,
are tied around the legs just below the
knees, giving them an exceedingly rude
and degraded aspect Among no other
class of people is there less exhibition
of taste or good sense displayed in their
dress, the most grotesque and lneongruous
objects being arranged into all kinds Of
fantastic shapes for their meagre cover
ing
1t may be interesting to note a few ol
the curiosities illustrating Fiji life aud
manners, which these Caunibals brought
with them. Among the collection are