The age-herald., 1899-05-16

Apia, Samoa, via San Francisco.-I had not been here three days before diseov- cred that the Samoans are cheerful peo- pie, who refuse to know when they are beaten. They absolutely know no such thing as depression, and the Samoan spirits rise like yeast under the influence of warmth and favorable surroundings. He can be very cheerful indeed under circumstances that would make an Englishman or an American very much depressed.
 The Samoan forgives his enemies and ex- poets them to forgive him. He cherishes no evil over the setting of the sun, and for that reason 1t is hard to make him keep Up campaign of fighting. A gift of a roast pig from the enemy will turn his party principles completely; and it puzzles him to understand hoy people can continue to fight men who are kind and generous.
 On the other hand the Samoan is excita- ble and demonstrative. It you arouse him he is easily led to extreme deeds and he thinks no more of firing into your camp than he does of shooting at flock of black birds. After the sun is set he will shake hands with you, and smoke with you. He is not treacherous, but his anger is quick and soon over.
 1hO OdnOdi ldS IlOL u0dlL recently Wftn enemies of the American stamp and he does not understand why a campaign should be organized against him. Today he helps the Germans and tomorrow he helps the Americans. At least he would do so if he could. He sincerely regrets that the Germans have him in their power and, could he escape and shake hands with the seamen of the Philadelphia he would do it. He does not recognize how heinous is his offence, and he does not appreciate low sincerely the United States feels the loss of a single marine.
 After a battle the Samoan is at his hap piest. He has fought and he Is ready to celebrate; whether a victory or a defeat it is immaterial to him. Down in his heart he probably prefers victory, but as Sa- moan chief said to a friend of the writer, What is victory to us when we are not fighting for the Mataafa or Tamasese. We know that it is for another nation even if the Mataafa is on the throne. We do not get the benefit so what matter. We feast after we have fought and our allies pay us."
 A Samoan battle feast is a marvellous spread. The last one took place April 1, in honor of the skirmish which the Samoans had the week before. It took a week to get the feast ready, although the natives work ed hard for it.. The Taupo, or favorite of each family. had her young girls working and the women, as we'll as the men, got ready for the battle feast.
 When the feast was spread it was mar velous sight. It lay upon the ground, for they do not have tables in Samoa, and it looked like one of the feasts of the tropical fairly tales which one reads of in those strange Arabian books.
 The table, which was three hundred feet long, was made of banana leaves of enor- nous size. The leaves were laid side by side, on top of each other upon the ground, until they formed a thick covering three hundred feet long and ten feet wide. This would seat two hundred and fifty guests, guest being allowed only little more than a foot. of space. Each place was marked by a fresh cocoanut which was broke so that its contents could be drunk. There was no water upon the table, and, as the guests filed around. each seated himself at co- coaput which corresponded to a cover" They sat at the table, cross legged and very picturesque sight they made with their little short skirts, and giistening bodies rubbed with cocoanut oil until they shaue.' < At every six covers there was a wtalcl reastsa pig, with the head on. and sour