The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1869-03-17

the brig until late in the day, and il wa
sundown as we entered the river. Their
was piece Of moon. and the river. thougl
not more than twenty yards wide, was deeI
and without distractions. bat winding
Alternately rowing and sailing. as the
breeze favored US, at about ten o'clock, We
got within few miles Of the town of Re
wa The town was a close collection ol
houses, Of about half the size Of Honolulu
but there were many scattering hamlets
for several miles on either bank Of the
river. In passing the first Of these, we per
eeived that something unusual was going on.
The thick mangrove bushes that lined the
bank, prevented our seeing beyond them,
but the light of great fires illuminated the
background and flashed on the calm bosom
Of the river, while singing, shouts and
laughter rang out from the village which
was hidden from sight Resting on our
oars opposite the position Of one Of the
brightest of the fires, and which seemed
to be within few yards only of the rivers
bank, the noise of yelling and singing was
almost deafening, while the monotone Of
the war-drum rose high above the din.
While We lay thus, wondering what all this
was about, suddenly we saw, tossed high
in air, just beyond the bushes. in the full
blaze of the light, first a human arm, then
leg, and then head II was a cannibal
saturnalia they were having. They had
got an ''mbaeolo"-a man to be eaten
from the spoils of Mbenga, the town which
they had sacked and destroyed. and were
making merry over it. We had a Rewa
man in the boat whom We were returning to
his home, he having been with US through
out the cruise, and had always appeared to
be quiet, well-disposed fellow. As we
pulled away towards the town. l expressed
to him the horror with which such scenes
were viewed by the foreigner. He laugh
ed, good naturedly, and merely said. '-sa
yinaka"-it is good.
We arrived at Rewa, opposite Phillips
tThaukanauto 81 house about eleven clock
that night. He received US very kindly,
and in short time q smoking hot supper
Of pork, fish and yams. was put before Us.
| confess that looked with good deal of
suspicion on the viands, for l could not for
get that | was among cannibals, and thought
it possible that they might attempt TO
smuggle on US some of their horrible food.
But it was veritable pork, and l managed
to make hearty supper, though Phillips
came near turning my stomach, by remark
ing, in good English, Il would rather have
piece of baked man, than the best pig
that ever squealed."
After refreshing sleep under a spacious
mosquito bar-about twenty feet long by |
fifteen ir width. with height of ten feet
/ got up about sunrise the next morning
and proceeded down to the river side to |
take bath. Just outside Of the enclosure
of Phillips house, observed four Fiji
men, sitting on the sand in a row, in the
usual native style, their knees drawn up,
and their hands clasped over them. They
all faced towards the river, and seemed to
me to be deeply absorbed in contempla-
ton, for as | passed by them they spoke
never a word. At the same instant, was
sensible of delicious odor of cooked meat,
which | can compare to nothing but roast
ed bear-meat, which l afterwards smelled
and tasted in California. Proceeding to the
river, | had my bath, visions meantime
passing through my mind-incited BY the
smell of cookery which had crossed my
olfaetories-of a good breakfast in store.
AS returned towards the house, l walked
up face to face with the four men, who
we're still sitting on the sand in the same
positions in which had first seen them.
On drawing near, what was my horror to
perceive that they were dead, yet warm
rom the oven, and that the delicious odor
hat had excited my appetite for breakfast,
lad proceeded from their smoking hot
'odiesl | almost tainted, got sick at the
stomach, and running out Of sight Of the
lorrid objects, vomited as though / had
AIKEN an emetie. Phillips coming along,
'erceived my plight, and at once divining
he cause, ordered the .mbacoIos"
o be eateD-tO be removed.
After light breakfast Of oranges and
'oupIe Of bananas, the mate and myself !
tarted for walk to Charley Pickering's
iouse- In going there, We had 70 pass I
he public square. on one side Of which !
Fas the kings house. In the Ferandah Of
is naiesty's residence, squatted in the
anne positions in which had first seen ]
hem at Phillips, vers the four baked
dbenga men, apparently looking at Us with |;
iazed and leaden eyes. As We crossed :
be square, a confused noise Of shouts aud !
lughter met our ears, and from one Of the b
ines leading into the square issued crowd !
boys, Of all ages from three or four 7