Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/189

Rh on the part of the savages was now shown. A young man was sent to prepare a dish of sweetened water, and soon returned, bringing the drink. He came down over the bluff and carried a large calabash, about the size of a half bushel measure on his head, and bringing it to the platform was helped by a chief to set down his load. A cocoanut dipper was then produced, and the chief took with it the first draught, then offered it to the sailors, who drank all around. The syrup made by the natives was from the sap of cocoanut trees, and of an agreeable flavor.

The messenger soon returned from Aiburel, the chief village, where the sorceress of the island, an old woman, held her sacred place. He brought word that the men must be brought to her in order that she might see them. The order was at once obeyed. The head chief, or king, rose and all his subordinates followed, taking the way up the bluff. The captured sailors went immediately after them, and the crowd followed irregularly behind.

After passing up the low bluff and gaining the general level of the island, they saw a paved footpath, or narrow road, about three feet wide, well laid with flat stones. This they followed about three miles. Under more hopeful circumstances this would have been a most delightful walk. On both sides there were shade trees, forming an arching canopy overhead.

As they approached the town another public place with a platform appeared, and near by were council houses. The residence from which the woman who was to decide their fate came out reminded Holden strongly of a building in Boston—Simpson's old feather store, near Faneuil Hall. The platform to which they were led