 my own part, I stared at them most pertinaciously.
    Desirous of being enlightened with regard to the meaning of this peculiar
diversion, I turned inquiringly to Kory-Kory; that learned Typee immediately
proceeded to explain the whole matter thoroughly. But all that I could
comprehend from what he said was, that the leaping figures before me were
bereaved widows, whose partners had been slain in battle many moons previously;
and who, at every festival, gave public evidence in this manner of their
calamities. It was evident that Kory-Kory considered this an all-sufficient
reason for so indecorous a custom; but I must say that it did not satisfy me as
to its propriety.
    Leaving these afflicted females, we passed on to the hoolah-hoolah ground.
Within the spacious quadrangle the whole population of the valley seemed to be
assembled, and the sight presented was truly remarkable. Beneath the sheds of
bamboo which opened toward the interior of the square, reclined the principal
chiefs and warriors, while a miscellaneous throng lay at their ease under the
enormous trees, which spread a majestic canopy overhead. Upon the terraces of
the gigantic altars, at either end, were deposited green bread-fruit in baskets
of cocoa-nut leaves, large rolls of tappa, bunches of ripe bananas, clusters of
mammee-apples, the golden-hued fruit of the artu tree, and baked hogs, laid out
in large wooden trenchers, fancifully decorated with freshly plucked leaves,
whilst a variety of rude implements of war were piled in confused heaps before
the ranks of hideous idols. Fruits of various kinds were likewise suspended in
leafen baskets, from the tops of poles planted uprightly, and at regular
intervals, along the lower terraces of both altars. At their base were arranged
two parallel rows of cumbersome drums, standing at least fifteen feet in height,
and formed from the hollow trunks of large trees. Their heads were covered with
shark skins, and their barrels were elaborately carved with various quaint
figures and devices. At regular intervals, they were bound round by a species of
sinnate of various colours, and strips of native cloth flattened upon them here
and there. Behind these instruments were built slight platforms, upon which
stood a number of young men, who, beating violently with the palms of their
hands upon the drum-heads, produced those outrageous sounds which had awakened
me in the morning. Every few minutes these musical performers hopped down from
their elevation into the crowd below, and their places were immediately supplied
by fresh recruits. Thus an incessant din was kept up that might have startled
Pandemonium.
    Precisely in the middle of
