The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1894-06-02
CHAPTER Continued.

@s4HlNHNE
CHAPTER V.-ContInued.
The chiefled them back to the shore
talking vOlubly all the way in Polyne
sian to Felix His dialect differed sc
much from the Fijian that when he
spoke first Felix could hardly follow
him. But he gathered vaguely, never
theless. that they were TO be wei
housed and fell for the present at the
public expense; and even that some.
thing which the chief clearly regarded
as very great honor was in store foI
them in the future. Whatever these
peoples particular superstition might
be, it seemed pretty evident at least
that it told in the strangers favor,
Felix almost began TO hone they night
manage to live there pretty tOlerably
FOR the next two or three weeks, and
perhaps 10 signal in time to some pass
ing Australian liner.
The rest Of that wonderful. eventfuI
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 We're new and clean, but
also that the chief took great care to
place round both of them a single cir
cular line of white coral sand, like the
one he had noticed at Tu-kilakila's
pala"e-temple He felt sure this white
line made the space within taboo. No
native would dare without leave tc
cross it.
When the line was well marked out
round the two huts together, the chic
went away for whi-c, caving :he
Europeans within their broad white
circle, guarded by an angry-looking
band of natives with long spears al
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 pre- lent
permit the Europeans to leave the
charmed circle.
Presently the chief returned again
followed by two other natives in otticia
costumes. one OF them was d tan
handsome young man, dressed in LONG
robe or cloak OF yellow feathers. The
other was stoIter. and perhaps forty
or therCaboutS, he wore Il short cape
of white albatross plumes, with d CIR
die of shells at his waist. lntcrsperscG
with red coral.
The King Of Fire will make Taboo,
the chief said. solemniy
The Young man with the cloak o.
feathers stepped forward and spoke
toeing the lire with his left foot, anc
brandishinga lighted stick in his right
hand. Taboo, Taboo, Taboo" h
cried aloud, with emphasis. IF am
| man dare To tran-gres| this line with
out leave, ! burn him to ashes. If any
woman, | ScOrch her to clnder. Ia
boo to the King of the Rain and the
| Queen Of the Clouds. Taboo, Taboo
| Taboo, korong, | say it
He stepped back into the ranks will
an air of duty performed. The chic
looked about him curiou5Iy moment
THE King Of Waterwill make Taboo
he repeated after pause, in the same
deep tone of profound conviction.
The stouter man IN the short WHIT
cape stepped forwar, in his turn. lie
| tOcd the line with his naked LETT foot
In his brown right hand n" carried
ca'abash of water Taboo Taboo
/ Taboo he exclaimed aloud, pouring
out the water u"on the ground sym
holically. IF any man dare to trans
gress this line without leave, | drowl
him in his canoe. Il any woman.
! drag her alive into the spring a. sh'
fetches water. Taboo to the King o
tho KAN and the Queen OF the Clouds
Taboo. Taboo. TABOO. horong
say 1t.
"What does it all mean" Murie
whispered, terrified.
Felix explained to her, as far as h
| could, In few hurried sentences
There's only one word in it don
understand, he added, ha tily, 'an'
/ that korOnT. 1t doesn't occur in Fiji
| They keep saying We re korong, what
ever that may mean; and cvidentl.
/ they attach some very great import
/ ance to 1t.
Let the Shadows come forward, tn
/ chlet SAID, looking up with an air G
/ dignity.
y good-lookin% young man, and tn
/ girl who said h"r uame wa Mali
/ stepped forth from tin" crowd, and fel
on their knees before him.
The chief laid his hand on the yOun,
| mans shoulder and raised him NJ
! The Shadow OF the King Of the Rain,
! he cried. turning him three time