Mardi, Volume I

During the afternoon of the day of the diver's decease, preparations were making for paying the last rites to his remains, and carrying them by torch-light to their sepulcher, the sea; for, as in Odo, so was the custom here.

Meanwhile, all over the isle, to and fro went heralds, dismally arrayed, beating shark-skin drums; and, at intervals, crying-"A man is dead; let no fires be kindled; have mercy, oh Oro! -Let no canoes put to sea till the burial. This night, oh Oro! -Let no food be cooked."