It is true the surf-swimming ended for that time somewhat
abruptly, but they immediately proceeded with other games. Bill told me
that sharks do not often attack the surf-swimmers, being frightened
away by the immense numbers of men and boys in the water, and by the
shouting and splashing that they make. "But," said he, "such a thing as
you have seen just now don't frighten them much. They'll be at it again
to-morrow or next day, just as if there wasn't a single shark between
Feejee and Nova Zembla."
After this the natives had a series of wrestling and boxing matches;
and being men of immense size and muscle, they did a good deal of
injury to each other, especially in boxing, in which not only the lower
orders but several of the chiefs and priests engaged. Each bout was
very quickly terminated, for they did not pretend to a scientific
knowledge of the art, and wasted no time in sparring, but hit straight
out at each other's heads, and their blows were delivered with great
force. Frequently one of the combatants was knocked down with a single
blow; and one gigantic fellow hit his adversary so severely that he
drove the skin entirely off his forehead. This feat was hailed with
immense applause by the spectators.
During these exhibitions, which were very painful to me, though I
confess I could not refrain from beholding them, I was struck with the
beauty of many of the figures and designs that were tattooed on the
persons of the chiefs and principal men.
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