This brought about such a falling off in the number of subjects for tattooing that the profession became quite needy.

The royal ally of Hardy, however, hit upon a benevolent expedient to provide for their wants, at the same time conferring a boon upon many of his subjects.
By sound of conch-shell it was proclaimed before the palace, on the beach, and at the head of the valley, that Noomai, King of Hannamanoo, and friend of Hardee-Hardee, the white, kept open heart and table for all tattooers whatsoever; but to entitle themselves to this hospitality, they were commanded to practise without fee upon the meanest native soliciting their services.
Numbers at once flocked to the royal abode, both artists and sitters.
It was a famous time; and the buildings of the palace being "taboo" to all but the tattooers and chiefs, the sitters bivouacked on the common, and formed an extensive encampment.
The "Lora Tattoo," or the Time of Tattooing, will be long remembered.
An enthusiastic sitter celebrated the event in verse.

Several lines were repeated to us by Hardy, some of which, in a sort of colloquial chant he translated nearly thus: "Where is that sound?
In Hannamanoo.
And wherefore that sound?
The sound of a hundred hammers, Tapping, tapping, tapping The shark teeth." "Where is that light?
Round about the king's house, And the small laughter?
The small, merry laughter it is Of the sons and daughters of the tattooed.".