Not only had he many gods both of light and evil, but the Rev.James Stack, a most experienced student, says that he conceived of his gods as something more than embodiments of power--as beings "interested in human affairs and able to see and hear from the highest of the heavens what took place on earth." Mr.Colenso himself dwells upon the Maori faith in dreams, omens, and charms, and on the universal dread felt for _kehuas_ or ghosts, and _atuas_ or demon spirits.

Moreover, the code of observances aforesaid was no mere secular law.

It was the celebrated system of _tapu_ (taboo), and was not only one of the most extraordinary and vigorous sets of ordinances ever devised by barbarous man, but depended for its influence and prestige not mainly upon the secular arm or even public opinion, but upon the injunction and support of unseen and spiritual powers.

If a man broke the _tapu_ law, his punishment was not merely to be shunned by his fellows or--in some cases--plundered of his goods.

Divine vengeance in one or other form would swiftly fall upon him--probably in the practical shape of the entry into his body of an evil spirit to gnaw him to death with cruel teeth.