A dark complexion, however, in a man, is highly esteemed, as indicating strength of both body and soul.

Hence there is a saying, of great antiquity among them.
"If dark the cheek of the mother, The son will sound the war-conch; If strong her frame, he will give laws." With this idea of manliness, no wonder the Tahitians regarded all pale and tepid-looking Europeans as weak and feminine; whereas, a sailor, with a cheek like the breast of a roast turkey, is held a lad of brawn: to use their own phrase, a "taata tona," or man of bones.
Speaking of bones recalls an ugly custom of theirs, now obsolete--that of making fish-hooks and gimlets out of those of their enemies.

This beats the Scandinavians turning people's skulls into cups and saucers.
But to return to the Calabooza Beretanee.

Immense was the interest we excited among the throngs that called there; they would stand talking about us by the hour, growing most unnecessarily excited too, and dancing up and down with all the vivacity of their race.

They invariably sided with us; flying out against the consul, and denouncing him as "Ita maitai nuee," or very bad exceedingly.