Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. II | Page 6

screeching crane, destitute of pinions and lofty aspirations.
Over and above numerous other miraculous powers imputed to the
Pontiffs as spiritual potentates, there was ascribed to them one special
privilege of a secular nature: that of healing with a touch the bites of
the ravenous sharks, swarming throughout the lagoon. With these they
were supposed to be upon the most friendly terms; according to popular
accounts, sociably bathing with them in the sea; permitting them to rub
their noses against their priestly thighs; playfully mouthing their hands,
with all their tiers of teeth.
At the ordination of a Pontiff, the ceremony was not deemed complete,
until embarking in his barge, he was saluted High Priest by three sharks
drawing near; with teeth turned up, swimming beside his canoe.
These monsters were deified in Maramma; had altars there; it was
deemed worse than homicide to kill one. "And what if they destroy
human life?" say the Islanders, "are they not sacred?"
Now many more wonderful things were related touching Hivohitee;
and though one could not but doubt the validity of many prerogatives
ascribed to him, it was nevertheless hard to do otherwise, than entertain

for the Pontiff that sort of profound consideration, which all render to
those who indisputably possess the power of quenching human life
with a wish.

CHAPTER V
They Visit The Great Morai
As garrulous guide to the party, Braid-Beard soon brought us nigh the
great Morai of Maramma, the burial-place of the Pontiffs, and a rural
promenade, for certain idols there inhabiting.
Our way now led through the bed of a shallow water-course; Mohi
observing, as we went, that our feet were being washed at every step;
whereas, to tread the dusty earth would be to desecrate the holy Morai,
by transferring thereto, the base soil of less sacred ground.
Here and there, thatched arbors were thrown over the stream, for the
accommodation of devotees; who, in these consecrated waters, issuing
from a spring in the Morai, bathed their garments, that long life might
ensue. Yet, as Braid-Beard assured us, sometimes it happened, that
divers feeble old men zealously donning their raiment immediately
after immersion became afflicted with rheumatics; and instances were
related of their falling down dead, in this their pursuit of longevity.
Coming to the Morai, we found it inclosed by a wall; and while the rest
were surmounting it, Mohi was busily engaged in the apparently
childish occupation of collecting pebbles. Of these, however, to our no
small surprise, he presently made use, by irreverently throwing them at
all objects to which he was desirous of directing attention. In this
manner, was pointed out a black boar's head, suspended from a bough.
Full twenty of these sentries were on post in the neighboring trees.
Proceeding, we came to a hillock of bone-dry sand, resting upon the
otherwise loamy soil. Possessing a secret, preservative virtue, this sand
had, ages ago, been brought from a distant land, to furnish a sepulcher
for the Pontiffs; who here, side by side, and sire by son, slumbered all
peacefully in the fellowship of the grave. Mohi declared, that were the
sepulcher to be opened, it would be the resurrection of the whole line of
High Priests. "But a resurrection of bones, after all," said Babbalanja,
ever osseous in his allusions to the departed.
Passing on, we came to a number of Runic-looking stones, all over

hieroglyphical inscriptions, and placed round an elliptical aperture;
where welled up the sacred spring of the Morai, clear as crystal, and
showing through its waters, two tiers of sharp, tusk-like stones; the
mouth of Oro, so called; and it was held, that if any secular hand should
be immersed in the spring, straight upon it those stony jaws would
close.
We next came to a large image of a dark-hued stone, representing a
burly man, with an overgrown head, and abdomen hollowed out, and
open for inspection; therein, were relics of bones. Before this image we
paused. And whether or no it was Mohi's purpose to make us tourists
quake with his recitals, his revelations were far from agreeable. At
certain seasons, human beings were offered to the idol, which being an
epicure in the matter of sacrifices, would accept of no ordinary fare. To
insure his digestion, all indirect routes to the interior were avoided; the
sacrifices being packed in the ventricle itself.
Near to this image of Doleema, so called, a solitary forest-tree was
pointed out; leafless and dead to the core. But from its boughs hang
numerous baskets, brimming over with melons, grapes, and guavas.
And daily these baskets were replenished.
As we here stood, there passed a hungry figure, in ragged raiment:
hollow cheeks, and hollow eyes. Wistfully he eyed the offerings; but
retreated; knowing it was sacrilege to touch them.