A Samoan Superstition

"Duiiuiï wars ttoe unburled dead causeo a great deal of anxiety and i i t:-( 'S -lo '.heir íelativea, wlio imngiaed Mvey could lioar t'.ie spirits of the warviors eonstuntly crying to theni, 'Cokl ! Cold ! Oh, I cold 1" As it was imponible to bury ie real body, tliey Imaglned the spirits assumied materi il shape, or could be obtaiiied in wme tang'.ble iorm, and funeral ceremonies neiu oer m. Aliout du-k Ifche friends and relatives assembled wherc the warrlor was supposed to Jiave fallen. Spreadmg a clotli on the g-round, one would pray to soane family god, asking to obtain quiokly and wfEhout trouble the spirit of the falleai one. AVhatever hapnpiied to aUBbt or crawl on the cloth was comsidered to be the spirit. Il nothimg appeared (-ome other member of the family would pray, giving place in turn to sameone else. This was comttaiued unU comething would aligiht on the clotli. Whatever lt proved to be- ant, motto, or wormwas carefully wrapped up in the cloth taken home, and buried with all the honors and ceremony due the real body oí the -warrior."- From "The Land of the Bread-íruit." Outing íor July.