Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/223

Rh THE TONGA ISLANDS. 157 to the bottom of the mallii with a slow and dig- nified step, and then returned, amid the same acclamations, into the house, and re-seated them upon the bales of gnatoo; after which he com- menced a dance on 'the malai with the young cliiefs, who had put on turbans. This dance was also after the manner of the Navigator's islands, and seemed to afford the people much entertainment: in Mr. Mariner's opinion, there, was not so great an exhibition of agility as in their own dances, but equally as much grace, and somewhat more attitude. In the mean time the brides were conducted to the residence of the bridegroom. The dance being con- cluded, the provisions were shared out: the two larger portions were allotted, by Finow's orders, to the new comers, (to be disposed of afterwards as they thought proper) : the next largest was shared out to all foreigners, viz. na- tives of Fiji, Hamoa, the island of Fotoona, &c. ; and the remaining heap, at an appointed signal, was scrambled for by all who chose to try their speed and dexterity. This last scene afforded great diversion to all the spectators. The baked pig on the top of the heap was soon brought down, and pulled about in a most mi- serable way ; being torn piece-meal, and so co- vered with sand and dirt as to be quite uneat- able. The ceremony was now concluded by a