The natives themselves stood well without the ring, but the points of their spears almost reached the line, and it was clear they would not for the present permit the Europeans to leave the charmed circle.
Presently, the chief returned again, followed by two other natives in official costumes.

One of them was a tall and handsome young man, dressed in a long robe or cloak of yellow feathers.

The other was stouter, and perhaps forty or thereabouts; he wore a short cape of white albatross plumes, with a girdle of shells at his waist, interspersed with red coral.
"The King of Fire will make Taboo," the chief said, solemnly.
The young man with the cloak of yellow feathers stepped forward and spoke, toeing the line with his left foot, and brandishing a lighted stick in his right hand.

"Taboo! Taboo! Taboo!" he cried aloud, with emphasis.

"If any man dare to transgress this line without leave, I burn him to ashes.