for
it.[52] This is only one instance of the ways in which the dialects of
savages tend to vary from each other under the influence of
superstition.

[50] H. Hale, _Ethnography and Philology of the United
States Exploring Expedition_, pp. 28 _sq._; Violette, "Notes
d'un Missionnaire sur l'archipel de Samoa," _Les Missions
Catholiques_, iii. (1870) p. 190; J. B. Stair, _Old Samoa_, pp.
67 _sqq._; G. Brown, _Melanesians and Polynesians_, pp. 380
_sq._ Compare G. Turner, _Samoa_, p. 175.

[51] G. Brown, _Melanesians and Polynesians_, pp. 280,
381.

[52] J. E. Erskine, _Journal of a Cruise among the
Islands of the Western Pacific_, p. 44.

Yet despite the extraordinary deference thus paid to chiefs in outward
show, the authority which they possessed was for the most part very
limited; indeed in the ordinary affairs of life the powers and
privileges of a chief were little more than nominal, and he moved about
among the people and shared their everyday employments just like a
common man. Thus, for example, he would go out with a fishing party,
work in his plantation, help at building a house or a canoe, and even
lend a hand in cooking at a native oven. So strong was the democratic
spirit among the Samoans. The ordinary duties of a chief consisted in
administering the law, settling disputes, punishing transgressors,
appointing feasts, imposing taboos, and leading his people in war. It
was in time of war that a chief's dignity and authority were at their
highest, but even then he could hardly maintain strict discipline.[53]
However, the influence of chiefs varied a good deal and depended in
great measure on their personal character. If besides his hereditary
rank a chief was a man of energy and ability, he might become
practically supreme in his village or district. Some chiefs even used
their power in a very tyrannical manner.[54]

[53] G. Turner, _Samoa_, pp. 174 _sq._; S. Ella,
"Samoa," _Report of the Fourth Meeting of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Hobart,
Tasmania, in January 1892_, pp. 631 _sq._; J. B. Stair, _Old
Samoa_, p. 70; G. Brown, _Melanesians and Polynesians_, p. 286.

[54] J. B. Stair, _Old Samoa_, p. 70; G. Brown,
_Melanesians and Polynesians_, p. 286.

But for the abuse of power by their nominal rulers the Samoans had a
remedy at hand. When a chief rendered himself odious to his people by
tyran