The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-15

On each projection OF the const the bank Of
coral clnkers Immediately above the beach
hrs been lovelled and pillar built. perhaps
breast high. These are not sepulchral. oil the
dead being buried on the inhabited side Of tho
island. close to mons houses. and what is
worsel In their wells. was told they were to
protect the isle against inroads from the sea.
divine or diabolical martellos probably sacred
to Taburik. God Of Thunder.
The bay Immediately opposite Equator
Town. which we called Foo Bay in honor of
our cook. was thus fortified on either horn. 1t
was we'll sheltered by the reef. the enclosed
water clear and tranquil. the enclosing beach
curved like horseshoe and both steep and
broad. The path debouched about the midst
Of the reentrant angle. the woods stopping
some distance inland. In front. between the
fringe OF the wood and the crown Of the beach.
there had been designed regular figure like
the court for some new variety OF tennis. with
borders AZ round stones imbedded. and pointed
1t the angles with low points. likewise OF stone.
This was the Kings Pray Place. When he
prayed what he prayed for. and to whom he
addressed his supplications. could never
learn. The ground was taboo.
In the angles by the mouth Of the path.
stood deserted moniap'. Nenr by there had
been house before our coming. which was
now transported and figured for the moment
in Equator Town. 1t had been. and it would
be again whom we departed. the residence of
the guardian and wizard OF the spot: Tamalti.
Here In this lone place. within sound Of the
sea. he had his dwelling and uncanny duties.
cannot call to mind another case Of man
living On the ocean side Of any open atoll and
Tamaiti must have had strong nerves. the
greater confidence In his own spells. or what
believe to be the truth. an enviable skepti-
Cism. Whether Tamaiti had any Guardian
ship OF the Pray Place. never heard. But his
own particular chapel stood further back In
the fringe OF the wood and by the lambs OF the
path It was tree OF respectable growth.
Around 1t was drawn o circle OF stones
like those that enclosed the Pray Place. in
front. facing to the sea- a stone of a much
greater size and somewhat followed. like
pisoins. stood close against the trunk: in front
Of that again. a conical pile Of gravel. In the
hollow Of what / have called the piscina.
though It proved to be a magic seat. lay an Of
fering OF green cocoanuts, and when you
looked up. you found the boughs OF the tree to
10 laden with strange fruit, palm branches
deliberately plated. and beautiful models of
canvas finished and rugged to the least detail
The whole had the appearance OF miosum-
mer and sylvan Christmas tree al Tesco Yet
We were already well enough acquainted in the
0llberts TO recognize 1t at tho first sight for q
piece OF wizardry. or. as they say In the group.
of devil work.
The plated palms were what we recognized.
We had seen them before on Apaiang. the most
ChristlaniEed OF all these islands: where excel
lsnt Mr. Bingham lived and labored and has
left golden memories: whence all the educa-
Zion In the northern Gilberts traces It's descent;
ohd where we were boarded by little native
Sunday school girls In clean frocks. with