An endless fusillade and shouting maintained the spirit of the warriors; and at night, even if the firing slackened, the pickets continued to exchange from either side volleys of songs and pungent pleasantries.

Nearer hostilities were rendered difficult by the nature of the ground, where men must thread dense bush and clamber on the face of precipices.

Apia was near enough; a man, if he had a dollar or two, could walk in before a battle and array himself in silk or velvet.

Casualties were not common; there was nothing to cast gloom upon the camps, and no more danger than was required to give a spice to the perpetual firing.

For the young warriors it was a period of admirable enjoyment.