We
were seven hours on the tramp, along a good path, on which horses could
get along well. The most difficult ascent was shortly after we left
Uakinumu; but the path was good. The last hour of travelling was in a
thunderstorm, with a regular tropical pour of rain. When we neared the
village Marivaeanumu, the men came rushing out with their spears and
shields, thinking it was an attacking party; but on seeing Maka, who was
just behind the first native, and I following up, they shouted out,
_Nao_, _nao_! (foreigners), and ran back with their spears. The village
is small, and the houses very dilapidated; it is 1800 feet above
sea-level. Maka was buying taro with salt, and having finished, some
natives noticed damp salt adhering to his hand; they seized the hand, and
in turn licked it until quite clean. Grains of salt falling were sought
for and picked up. The shields here are the same as at Hood Bay,
beautifully made. They are going to fight soon with another district,
and are making great preparations in spears, clubs, and shields.
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