Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-05-31
CHAPTER V.-Continued.


The chiefled them back to the shore,
talking volubly all the way in Polyne-
sian to Felix. His dialect differed so
much from the Fiiian that when he
spoke first Felix could hardly follow
him. But he gathered vaguely, never
theless, that they were to be well
housed and fed for the present at the
public expense; and even that some
thing which the chief clearly regarded
as very great honor was in store for
them in the future. Whatever these
people, particular superstition might
be, it seemed pretty evident at least
that it told in the strangers favor.
Felix almost began to hope they might
manage to live there pretty toleraDly
for the next two or three weeks, and
perhaps to signal in time to some pass
ing Australian liner.
The rest of that wonderful, eventful
day was wholly occupied with practi-
cal details. Before long, two adjacent
huts were found for them, near the
shore of the lagoon; and Felix noticed
with pleasure, not only that the huts
themselves were new and clean but
also that the chief took great care to
place round both of them single cir
cular line of white cOral-sand, like the
one he had noticed at Tu-Kila-klla's
palace-temple. He felt sure this white
line made the space within taboo. No
native would dare without leave to
cross it.
When the line was well marked out
round the two huts together, the chief
went away for while, -eaving the
circle. guarded by an angry-looking
Iop IF
rest, all pointed inward The natives
themselves stood we'll without the
ring, but the points of their spears
almost reached the line. and it was
clear they would not for the present
permit the Europeans to leave the
charmed circle.
Presently the chief returned again,
followed by two other natives in official
costumes. One of them was tall,
handsome young man, dressed in long
robe or cloak of yellow feathers. The
other was stouter, and perhaps forty
or Whereabouts; he wore a short cape
of white albatross plumes, with a Cir
die of shells at his waist, interspersed
with red coral
'The King of Fire will make Taboo"
the chief said. solemnly.
The Young man with the cloak of
feathers stepped forward and spoke,
toeing the lire with his left foot, and
brandishinga lighted stick in his right
hand. Taboo. Taboo. Taboo" he
cried aloud, with emphasis. eff any
man dare to tran5gress this line with
out leave, burn him to ashes. II any
woman. I scorch her to a cinder. Ia
boo to the King of the Rain and the
Queen of the Clouds. Taboo. Taboo.
Taboo! korong. I say it."
He stepped back into the ranks with
an air of duty performed. The chief
looked about him curiously a moment.
The King of Water will make Taboo"
he repeated after pause. in the same
deep tone of profound conviction.
The stouter man in the short white
cape stepped forward in his turn. He
toed the line with his naked left foot;
IN his brown right hand he carried a
calabash Of water. "Taboo! Taboo!
Taboo he exclaimed aloud, pouring
out the water upon the ground SYM
bOlically. "If any man dare to trans
gress this line without leave, [ drown
him in his canoe. If any woman, |
drag her alive into the spring as she
fetches water. Taboo to the King OF
the Rain and the Queen of the Clouds.
Taboo Taboo. Taboo. Korong! l
say it,
'4Nhat does it all mean?" Muriel
whispered, terrified.
Felix explained to her, as far as he
could, in few hurried sentences.
There's only one word in it l don't
understand" he added hastily, land
that's korong. 1t doesn't occur in Fill
They keep saying we're Korong, what
ever that may mean; and evidently
they attach some very great import
.ance to it. "
.'Let the Shadows come forward, 1.-THE
chief said looking up with an air OF
dignity.
A eood-looking young man, and the
girl who said her name was Mali,
stepped forth from the crowd, and fell
on their knees before him.
- The chief laid his hand on the young
mans shoulder and raised him up.
ssThe Shadow of the King of the Rain,
he cried. turning him three times
round. ''Follow him in all his incom-
lipos and his outgoings, and serve him
Faithfully. Taboo Taboo. Pass within
l5he sacred circle!"
He clapped his hands. The young
man crossed the line with a sort of rev.
erent reluctance, and took his place
within the ring, close up to Felix.
The chief laid his hand on Nails
shoulder. ''The Shadow of the Queen
of the Clouds" he said, turning her
three times round. "Follow her in all
her incomings and outgoings, and serve
her faithfully. Taboo! Taboo. Pass
within the sacred circle"
Then he waved both hands to Felix,
go where you will now," he said.
1sYour shadow will follow YOU. You
are free as The rain that drops where
1T will. You are as free as the clouds
the clouds that roam through Heaven.
No man will hinder you"
And in moment the spearmer
dropped their spears in concert, the
crowd fell back, and the villagers dis
persed as if by magic, to their own
houses.