e of the
words, "Nukuheva" and "Franee" (French), and some others with the meaning
of which I was acquainted, he appeared to be rehearsing to his auditors
events which had recently occurred in the neighboring bays. But how he had
gained the knowledge of these matters, I could not understand, unless it
were that he had just come from Nukuheva,--a supposition which his
travel-stained appearance not a little supported. But, if a native of that
region, I could not account for his friendly reception at the hands of the
Typees.

Never, certainly, had I beheld so powerful an exhibition of natural
eloquence as Marnoo displayed during the course of his oration. The grace
of the attitudes into which he threw his flexible figure, the striking
gestures of his naked arms, and above all, the fire which shot from his
brilliant eyes, imparted an effect to the continually-changing accents of
his voice, of which the most accomplished orator might have been proud. At
one moment reclining sideways upon the mat, and leaning calmly upon his
bended arm, he related circumstantially the aggressions of the
French--their hostile visit to the surrounding bays, enumerating each one
in succession--Happar, Puerka, Nukuheva, Tior,--and then starting to his
feet, and precipitating himself forward with clenched hands and a
countenance distorted with passion, he poured out a tide of invectives.
Falling back into an attitude of lofty command, he exhorted the Typees to
resist these encroachments; reminding them, with a fierce glance of
exultation, that as yet the terror of their name had preserved them from
attack; and with a scornful sneer, he sketched in ironical terms the
wondrous intrepidity of the French, who, with five war-canoes and hundreds
of men, had not dared to assail the naked warriors of their valley.

The effect he produced upon his audience was electric; one and all they
stood regarding him with sparkling eyes and trembling limbs, as though
they were listening to the inspired voice of a prophet.

But it soon appeared that Marnoo's powers were as versatile as they were
extraordinary. As soon as he had finished his vehement harangue, he threw
himself again upon the mats, and, singling out individuals in the crowd,
addressed them by name, in a sort of bantering style, the humour of which,
though nearly hidden from me, filled the whole assembly with uproarious
delight.

He had a word for everybody; and, turning rapidly from one to another,