The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-04-02
A "MEkE MEkE" BY ToRcHLieHT
Description of a Fijian Pantomime-
"Three Cheers for the Englishv'

DsScr1ptlon OF E1jian Pantomime-
Three Cheers for the Englishv,
We had been invited to see cricket-match
played between Fjians, trained by the gov
ernors secretary, and a scratch team of Eng
hshmen. The unaccustomed heat, and, per-
haps, the uneven ground, which though well
rolled could hardly be called level, handi-
capped our countrymen too heavily; and we
were neither surprised nor disappointed when
our Fijian hosts achieved decided success.
At that evening we witnessed "meke
meke" by torchlight The night air was lily
laden, and for while nothing was heard but
the tapping of the waves on the shore, while
we waited the advent of the meke makers.
At last, a rustic as of leaves, and by the fam
ing brands we saw about 100 men who had
formed themselves into a crescent three Deep
Then began a monotonous movement to q
droning song, accompanied by native drums
The light shone fitfully ON the swarthy faces,
the countenances varying with the varying
gestures. At intervals every tenth man
would spring forward with the litheness of
panther, his meke sulu of harts tongue fern
and seaweed glinting brightly as the torch
light struck it, the mass behind him forming
lines of swaying undulation, keeping time
with the droning chant and an almost me-
chanical clapping of hands.
After some time there was an interval Of
rest and consultation, and then it seemed to
cur unenlightened minds that the same thing
was repeated. When the entertainment was
over, we inquired With some anxiety what we
ought to have understood by the pantonimic
language OF the changing movements, but
could only gather that the meke was made up
fortnight before we saw it. They never
perform the same meke twice. We could ar
rive at no further elucidation
The men arranged themselves to rest, in
line, as they had danced We wished to ex-
press our thanks substantially. C. suggested
to a friend that En- offering of little gold
might perhaps be permissible, and we
ventured to carry out the idea. The chief re-
ceived the coins with an air of doubt, but
after some delay and consultation decided to
accept them Then followed the most cheer
ing sound that can be heard in a foreign
country. The men rose from their reclining
position, and from their mighty lungs and
loyal hearts rang out, "Three cheers for the
English"
As we drove away the echoes followed us
till we left the grounds for the sea-road
lighted by thousand stars.-Beigravia
Hardest Worked and Least Appreciated.
The newspaper men are, without doubt,
the hardest worked and least appreciated
men of any profession They toll through
the long hours of the night while other men
rest, and waste their lives by the midnight
oil while other men, if they happen to be as
good as the newspaper men, slumber in the
arms of Morpheus and dream Of angels and
heaven.
Yea, verify, they toll while while other men
rest, and strive while other men are happy
Their wives and children almost outgrow
their recollection. They are not made to en-
joy life's pleasures, but to tell of the joys and
sorrows of Others They retire to sleep when
all should wake, and while they toss them
selves on their uneasy beds the effects of their
nights toll has passed over the face of the
earth a SNOW storm of knowledge. and be
fore they have opened their eyes on Gods
holy light the news they have given the world
has been scattered hundreds of miles in every
direction, even as the petals of the full-blown
rose are scattered by the whirlwind. d.-Thos.
Rees, in Illinois State Register