Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/55

 WAE. 35 floating streamer, which the successful petitioner planted conspicuously, to indicate his fair prospects. The military in Fiji do not form a distinct class, but are selected from every rank, irrespective of age or size ; any who can raise a club or hurl a spear are eligible. At the close of the war, all who survive return to their ordinary pursuits. During active service, a faithful fol- lower owns no tie but that which binds him to his tribe, and the com- mand of the Vu-ni-valu — General — is his only law. Instances of persons devoting themselves specially to deeds of arms are not uncommon. The mamier in which they do this is singular, and wears the appearance of a marriage contract ; and the two men entering into it are spoken of as man and wife, to indicate the closeness of their military union. By this mutual bond the two men pledge themselves to oneness of purpose and effort, to stand by each other in every danger, defending each other to the death, and, if needful, to die together. In the case of one of the parties wishing to become married, in the ordinary style, to one of the other sex, the former contract is duly declared void. Between Mbetelambandai and Mbombo of Vatukarakara such a union existed. The former was slain in war. Mbombo, on hearing that his friend was in danger, ran to the rescue ; but, arriving too late, died avenging his comrade's death. Forces are gathered by the taqa^ a kind of review. Of these there is a series, — one at every place where the army stops on its way to the scene of action. If any part of Fijian warfare has interest, it is this ; and to the parties engaged, it is doubtless glorious. They defy an enemy that is far away, and boast of what they will do on a day which has not yet come ; and all this in the midst of their friends. The boasting is distinct from, though associated with, the taqa^ which naeans, " ready, or on the move," namely, for challenging. The challenging is called holehole ; and the ceremony, when complete, is as follows. If the head of the party of allies just arrived is a great Chief, his approach is hailed with a general shout. Taking the lead, he conducts his fol- lowers to a large open space, where the Chief, to whose help he comes, waits with his men. Forthwith shouts of respect are exchanged by the two companies. Presently a man, who is supposed to represent the enemy, stands forth and cries out, " Cut up ! cut up ! The temple receives ; " * intimating, probably, that the enemy will certainly be cut the precise meaning of this sentence, acknowledged that they could not tell, saying, " It has come down to us from past ages." Nor is this the only instance I have noticed of language having out- lived thought,— the form being preserved when the primitive idea is lost.
 * " Sai ta/va ! Sai iava I Ka yav, mai Tea yavia a dtire^ Several Chiefs of whom I asked