Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 86.djvu/409

Rh stragglers, rarely in extended frontal attacks, or sieges of fortified positions. Thus in the two years 1864-'65, due to smallpox, the population of Happoa and Taipi valleys in the Marquesas Islands sank from 2,000 to 150. Well might the Samoan father pray to Tangaloa "drive away from us sailing gods [white men] who bring disease and death."

Infinite mischief was wrought during this early chaotic period when every evil invention of civilization was placed in the hands of the natives

without check or hindrance to its abuse. The most degraded of our race exerted their demoralizing influence to satiety upon the defenceless natives, and accounts of old voyages bristle with disgusting narratives of debauchery. It became a common thing to kidnap the natives of the New Hebrides and carry them to Australia to work as "indentured laborers" upon plantations. Thus did Chile practically exterminate the population of Eastern Island for the development of her nitrate deposits.

Then in March, 1797, when things were at their worst, a ship whose