Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-24

two tufts, ono on each side OF the head.
which resemble homa Again. tho hair Is
dressed In littlo punches, tho spaces between
them being fhAvon, each bunch being
crowned by a bright sea aholl or a Hover.
But It Is not only In their dress and appear.
anco that tho Marquesans are peculiar. Their
houses ars entirely different from those Of
the other Islanders. They are usually built
Of stone, aud some Of them are two stories IN
holght access to tho upper floors being had
by means Of ladders. which ore used from the
outside. entmncs boiling made through the
openings made Tor windows. As In all warm
countries, flroa Tor cooking arp always built
away from tho houses, usually undor tree
and without any protecting roof. Like tho
samoans and Eilians. these people sleep on
mats. in thu manufacture OF which thoy show
great skin.
The Marquosans are very fond Of children,
and oyery time a child Is born 10 one OF tholr
chiefs they build for u pretty little house
and Adorn IL With toys suitable 20 tho ser.
The people live In villages. for they arc
very social, and IN the center Of every clustar
Of houses there is always 10 be- found roof
ed-gn empitheatro IN which they hold thelf
dances at tho full Of every moon. These
dances are largely social. but they sim have
a religious significance. though the people
claim To DO Christians.
The Marquesans are worry akilliul IN build
lag canoes and making war Weapons, and ba-
fore the coming Of whlie missionaries, about
forty years ago. the tribes on the different
Islands were perpatunlly at war with each
other. Ono curious method they had OF de-
ciaring war was 10 send into the country OF
their enemies secret spy, whose duty II
was to kin or injufc al tho broadtruit trees
he could. As broadfruit * QUO Of the prn-
ciral articles Of food with these people. thls
cruel act might b. called cutting on supplics.
Prisoners who were bikeh In battle were In
yariahly offered upAs sacrifices to their gods ,
hut unlike tho New Hoalaudefa and tho FIJI
ans, the Msrquoshns were not eannihals.
The Marquosans manage their canoes with
great skin and. Of course. arc excellent
swtmmers. The shores OF thoir islands are
resorted 70 BY great numbers Of monsirous
sharks; but Instead Of being intimideied. tho
dusky swimfners do not hesitate 70 leap into
the water and dive down 10 attack the sharks
with their knives. Tho fact that very Tow
Of them are ever killed IN this dangerous
work shows how akillfal and brave they
arc.
Excepting the chiefs, who ara permitted TO
have AZ many wives a. they choose. tho Mar
quesans do not practice poiyelny. one
reason. I think, why the women arc not
physically 70 ane As the men 10 the fact that
al the work asroiysa on them. Thsy arc
virtually the hswers Of wood and the drawcrs
Of water. and they do ali the agricultural
work d the sslands. which Is very consider
able, As tbs principal food Is fruit and veg
etabies.
While naturally quick tempered and In
cllned 10 Be dominearing, the aafguenan
ISLANDERS are fond o; children. and Irr'ien-
larly OF their own. Missionaries, some Of
them sent out by American soeictiea, have
establIshsd schools 81 owes hs sands. and