Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29

| rain and fmire of what seaports he had
tramped since, then; in what close and
garish drinking dens had found his pleasure;
and in the ward of what infrmary dreamed
his last of the Marquesas. But she, the
more fortunate, lived on in her green island.
The talk, in this lost house upon the
mountains, ran chiefly upon Mspiao and
his visits to the Casco; the news of which
had probably gone abroad by then to all the
| island, so that there was no paepae in
Hiva-oa where they did not make it the sub
ject of excited comment.
Not much beyond we came upon high
place in the foot of the ravine. Two roads
divided it, and met in the midst Save for
this intersection the amphitheater was
strangely perfect, and had a certain ruder
air OF things Roman. Depths of foliage
and the bulk of the mountain kept it in a
grateful shadow. On the benches several
young folk sat clustered or apart, aud
Tadema might have painted that scene of
tempered light, and beautiful, bright
clothed and pensive youth, scattered among
ruins.
Interested in the Girls.
One of these, a girl perhaps IA years of
age, buxom and comely, caught the eye of
Brother Mich9l Why was she not at
school?-she was done with school row.
What was she doing here?-she lived here
now. Why so?-no answer but deepen
Ing blush. There was no severity in Brother
MichePs manner; the girls own confusion
told her story-"Elle a honte," was the
missionary's comment, as we rode away
Near by in the stream grown girl was
bathing in a goyle between two stepping
stones, and it amused me to see with what
alacrity and real alarm she bounded on her
many-eolored clothes. Even in these
daughters Of cannibals shame was eloquent.
1t is in Hiva-oa, owing to the inveterate
cannibalism of the natives, that local be-
liefs have been most rudely trodden under
foot 1t was here that three religious chiefs
were set under bridge, and the women of
the valley made to defile over their heads
upon the roadway; the poor, dishonored fell
lows sitting there Gall observers agree) with
streaming tears. Not only was one road
driven across the high place, but two roads
lntersected in its midst. There is no reason
to suppose that the last was done of purpose,
and perhaps it was impossible entirely to
avoid the numerous sacred places OF the
islands. But these things are not done
without results
Their Regard for Their Dead.
1 have spoken already of the regard of
u1ai queSdhS loT tue ueau, making las 1t
does) SD strange contrast with their uncon-
Germ for death. Early on this days ride.
for instance, we encountered a petty chief,
who inquired, OF course, where we were go
ing, and suggested, by way of amendment,
'Why do you not rather show him the
cemetery" saw it; it was but newly
opened, the third within eight years.
They are great builders here ia Hiva-oa;
l saw In my ride paepaes that no European
dry-stone mason could have equalled, the
black volcanic stones were laid so Justly.
the corners were so precise, the levels SO
true; but the retaining wall of the new
stood apart, and seemed to be
work o! love. The sentiment of honor for
the dead is therefore not extinct. And vet
observe the consequence of violently coun-
tering mems opinions
OF the Hour prisoners in Atuona Jail,
three were of course thieves; the fourth was
there Tor sacrilege. He had levelled up a
piece OF the graveyard-to give feast upon,
as he informed the Court-and declared he
had no thought of doing wrong. Why
should he? He been forced at the point of