hen placed, covered over, and left to
bake.

The crowd now ran with terrible yells towards a neighbouring hill or
mound, on which we observed the framework of a house lying ready to be
erected. Sick with horror, yet fascinated by curiosity, we staggered
after them mechanically, scarce knowing where we were going or what we
did, and feeling a sort of impression that all we saw was a dreadful
dream.

Arrived at the place, we saw the multitude crowding round a certain
spot. We pressed forward, and obtained a sight of what they were doing.
A large wooden beam or post lay on the ground, beside the other parts
of the framework of the house, and close to the end of it was a hole
about seven feet deep and upwards of two feet wide. While we looked,
the man whom we had before observed with his hands pinioned was carried
into the circle. His hands were now free, but his legs were tightly
strapped together. The post of the house was then placed in the hole,
and the man put in beside it. His head was a good way below the surface
of the hole, and his arms were clasped round the post. Earth was now
thrown in until all was covered over and stamped down; and this, we were
afterwards told, was a ceremony usually performed at the dedication of a
new temple or the erection of a chief's house!

"Come, come," cried Jack on beholding this horrible tragedy; "we have
seen enough, enough--far more than enough! Let us go."

Jack's face looked ghastly pale and haggard as we hurried back to rejoin
the teacher; and I have no doubt that he felt terrible anxiety when he
considered the number and ferocity of the savages, and the weakness of
the few arms which were ready indeed to essay, but impotent to effect,
Avatea's deliverance from these ruthless men.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY, AND A BOLD, RECKLESS DEFIANCE, WITH ITS
CONSEQUENCES--PLANS OF ESCAPE, AND HEROIC RESOLVES.

When we returned to the shore and related to our friend what had passed,
he was greatly distressed, and groaned in spirit; but we had not sat
long in conversation when we were interrupted by the arrival of Tararo
on the beach, accompanied by a number of followers bearing baskets of
vegetables and fruits on their heads.

We advanced to meet him, and he expressed, through our interpreter, much
pleasure in seeing us.

"And what, is it that my friends wish to say to me?" he inquired.

The teacher explained that we came to beg that Avatea might