He said their great God was called Oro; and that they had
many others of less consequence. He asked me if I had a God? if he had a
son? and who was his wife? I told them he had a son but no wife. Who was
his father and mother? was the next question. I said he never had father
or mother; at this they laughed exceedingly. You have a God then who
never had a father or mother and has a child without a wife! Many other
questions were asked which my little knowledge of the language did not
enable me to answer.

The weather was now fine again and a great number of people were come
from other parts of the island. Tinah informed me that there was to be a
heiva and a wrestling-match on shore, and that the performers waited for
our attendance; we therefore set off with several of our friends and,
about a quarter of a mile from the tents, we found a great concourse of
people formed into a ring. As soon as we were seated a dancing heiva
began, which was performed by two girls and four men: this lasted half an
hour and consisted of wanton gestures and motions such as have been
described in the account of former voyages. When the dance ended Tinah
ordered a long piece of cloth to be brought; his wife Iddeah and myself
were desired to hold the two first corners and, the remaining part being
supported by many others, we carried it to the performers and gave it
them. Several other chiefs made a like present or payment. The performers
were strollers that travelled about the country as in Europe.

After this the wrestling began and the place soon became a scene of riot
and confusion. A party of the Arreoys also began to exercise a privilege,
which it seems they are allowed, of taking from the women such of their
clothes as they thought worth it; so that some of them were left little
better than naked. One young woman who was attacked opposed them with all
her strength and held fast her cloth, though they almost dragged her
along the ground. Observing that I took notice of her she held out her
hand and begged my assistance; and at my request she escaped being
pillaged.

Soon after a ring was again made but the wrestlers were so numerous
within it that it was impossible to restore order. In the challenges they
lay one hand upon their breast and, on the bending of the arm at the
elbow, with the other hand they strike a very smart blow which, as the
hand is kept hollow, creates a sound that may be heard at a considerable
distance; and this t