orated in their knowledge of the mechanic
arts. To say nothing of their habitual indolence, by what contrivance
within the reach of so simple a people could such enormous masses have
been moved or fixed in their places? and how could they with their rude
implements have chiselled and hammered them into shape?

All of these larger pi-pis--like that of the Hoolah Hoolah ground in the
Typee valley--bore incontestable marks of great age; and I am disposed to
believe that their erection may be ascribed to the same race of men who
were the builders of the still more ancient remains I have just described.

According to Kory-Kory's account, the pi-pi, upon which stands the Hoolah
Hoolah ground, was built a great many moons ago, under the direction of
Monoo, a great chief and warrior, and, as it would appear, master-mason
among the Typees. It was erected for the express purpose to which it is at
present devoted, in the incredibly short period of one sun; and was
dedicated to the immortal wooden idols by a grand festival, which lasted
ten days and nights.

Among the smaller pi-pis, upon which stand the dwelling-houses of the
natives, I never observed any which intimated a recent erection. There are
in every part of the valley a great many of these massive stone
foundations which have no houses upon them. This is vastly convenient, for
whenever an enterprising islander chooses to emigrate a few hundred yards
from the place where he was born, all he has to do in order to establish
himself in some new locality, is to select one of the many unappropriated
pi-pis, and without further ceremony pitch his bamboo tent upon it.

CHAPTER XXI

Preparations for a grand festival in the valley--Strange doings in
the Taboo Groves--Monument of Calabashes--Gala costume of the Typee
damsels--Departure for the festival.

From the time that my lameness had decreased I had made a daily practice
of visiting Mehevi at the Ti, who invariably gave me a most cordial
reception. I was always accompanied in these excursions by Fayaway and the
ever-present Kory-Kory. The former, as soon as we reached the vicinity of
the Ti--which was rigorously tabooed to the whole female sex--withdrew to a
neighbouring hut, as if her feminine delicacy restrained her from
approaching a habitation which might be regarded as a sort of Bachelor's
Hall.

And in good truth it might well have been so conside