The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-12-30

Written for the Gazette.


speak, was extra hazardous, on account of
the savage character of the inhabitants.
They were savages, in every sense of the
wOrd--barbarous, cruel, treacherous, and
thorough cannibals. Yet the trade was a
very profitable one, and although several yes
sells had been cut of, and their crews massa-
cred and eaten, yet the Salem merchants did
not abandon the trade. The principal COM
modify procured there was bielte le nleT, a
French name for seasnail, that was found
in considerable quantities on the extensive
coral reefs which surround and interlace
those islands in every direction. This, when
cured, was taken to Manila and disposed of
| TO the Chinese merchants at from twenty to
thirty dollars per picul-an immense profit,
for the actual cost of procuring it was but
mere trifle. Besides this, large quantities of
tortoise-shell was obtained, which found a
ready market in Manila, at high prices.
Owing to the character of the natives, the
traders were armed, the vessels-generally
brigs of $50 to 200 tons burthen-earrying
usually four six-pound carronades and two
swivels, besides plentiful supply of board
ing pixies, eutlasses and muskets. Indeed,
the latter, with powder and ball, were the
principal articles Of trade-the Fijiians being
at that time constantly engaged in wars
among themselves. Besides these means of
ed with boardiDg-nettings which, while at
anchor, were invariably trieed up. Further,
in each of the tops was an arm-chest, in which
were always kept loaded muskets, ready for
immediate use. When lying at any known
dangerous place, men were kept stationed in
the tops, and Others along the rails, armed
with boarding pixies. But a limited number
of the natives were allowed on board at a
time, and strict watch kept on their move
ments. The trading was carried on ashore,
trading master living there permanently.
To secure his safety and that of the goods
in his charge, hostage was retained on
board the vessel, usually high chief Even
with this precaution, the situation of the
trading master was one of no little peril, and
he Was compelled TO be constantly on the
watch against the treachery and pllfering
propensities of the savages with whom he
had TO deal
1t was in the year 1913 that left Salem on
board the brig Gambia, Capt. Wallis, bound
on a voyage to the Fijiis for a cargo of biche-
le-mer. With an eye to business, quite char
acteristie Of Yankee merchant, orr owner
had loaded the brig with cargo OF Yankee
notions, from dry-goods to bingham buck
cts, Boston crackers, Goldfish and rum, to be
sold at New Zealand where we were to call
on the passage out We were nearly five
months in reaching the Bay of Islands, and
anchored off the town of KOroratil1a, q scat
tering village of wooden shanties and native
huts-since called Russell, l believe, and the
scene of the first murderous attack by the
war. Here we lay several weeks, and dispos-
ed of the major part of our cargo at large
profit, for English gold. After shipping a
double crew, as was required by the remain
ing portion of our voyage, we sailed for our
ultimate destination, and without the occur
renee Of any incident of note beyond mar
row escape from water-spouts, sighted the
island of Kantavu, the most southerly of the
group, on the morning of the twenty-first
day after leaving the Bay of Islands. The
land was. high and mountainous, but covered
with verdure from the highest peaks down
to the sand beach. This however, as l after
wards ascertained, was the case with nearly
every one of this extensive group of over
two hundred islands. At this island some
years previous to my visit, portion of the
crew of a Salem brig, engaged in 5iche-Iener
fishing, were murdered and eaten by the saw
ages, the master having omitted the precau-
ton of keeping hostage on board. Vendo-
vi, brother Of the king of Rewa, was the per-
petrator of this Outrage, and for years went
AT length, however, during the |
visit of the U. s. Exploring Expedition, a
year or two before my arrival at the islands,
Yendovi was captured and taken to the Uni
ted States by Captain Wilkes; but the proud |
died shortly after reaching New York.
After passing Kantavu, We ran across the |
channel between that island and Vanua Lew, |
LITERALLY, large land) and anchored near the |
largest in the group, exceeding in extent,
perhaps, the island of Hawaii. Immediately |
on dropping anchor near a little sandy cocoa
nut covered islet, called Nukulau, the board |
everything made snug. None of the inhabit-
ants were seen so far, as the villages were
some miles up the river.
After dinner, the whaleboat was lowered |
away, and the captain called for five men and |
a coxwain, to pull up the river to the town
of Rewa, the residence of the King, situated |
some tell or fifteen miles from the anchorage. |
Greatly to my delight, was included in the
number selected, for l would now have an
10 satisfy an intense curiosity
which had long felt, and to closely observe
these strange people.
The river, at its mouth, was fully half a
mile wide, and deep enough for schooners of
fifty tons, and the shores on either side, for
several miles, were lined with mangrove
bushes, growing out into the water and form
ing an impenetrable thicket, entirely shut
ting out from our view the adjacent country.
Thus far we had not seen a soul. Occasion
ally turtle would lazily poke its head out of
the water, or some fish, Of kind TO us un-
known, would leap from the placid bosom of
the river, while birds of brilliant plumage