The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-01-27


very fine eating-and green turtle. all serv
ed screeching hot. as an Irishman would
say. The FIiians believe in having al
food hot. except baked missionary. which
as Sydney Smith says. they prefer cold
The only instance, however, in which q
missionary had been killed at those islands
so far as l have ever heard, was quite re.
Gently, an account of which was published
in the Honolulu papers. 1t was the result
of an imprudent attempt by missionary
to penetrate into the mountain regions Of
Wit Levu, the elevated plateau of winch
something like that of Hawaii, between
Mauna Kea and Mama Loa. but fertile and
well watered-is inhabited by wild and
extremely savage tribe, who never have
been conquered by the chiefs of the lower
lands. aud who have no communication
with the people of the lower coast. In
fact, the latter denominate the mountain
eers as savages. par excellence.
During the first day ashore in Rewa, |
had not seen our captain. who had, how
ever, been busily in consultation with some
of the chiefs, about suitable place to es-
tablish 5iche-lemeT station. All agreed
that the best ground where the so-called
fish" could be found in most abundance,
was on the coat of Vanua Levu, the Sec
ond large island of the group. and lying to
the westward of VIII Levu. So In the
afternoon we got into our boat again, and
bidding goodbye to the people of Rewa-
who crowded to the bank and almost
swamped our boat with gifts of fruits and
vegetables proceeded down the river,
reaching the brig at sunset. Next day we
weighed anchor early in the morning, and
sailing out through the reef-lined on each
side with foaming, laundering breakers
bore away for Mbau, the residence of the
most warlike and powerful Of the Fiji
chiefs, '.0ld Snuff" as be was familiarly
called by the foreigners. His native name
have forgotten. After a night at sea,
we anchored two miles off the little island
on which is situated the town Of Mbau,
the inhabitants of which exercised so COM
manding an influence all over the group,
and who have since reduced all the Islands
to their sovereignty-except the noun
taineers previously mentioned. Proceed
ing on shore-it was again my good for
tune to be one Of the captains boats crew
we landed at wharf, neatly built Of
stones, where lay number of canoes, both
single and double, some of the latter being
as large as one hundred feet in length and
six feet in depth, capable Of carrying
three hundred men. On landing, a mes
senger met US from the kings eldest son,
who stated that his father was absent at
Ovalau, which was the island where most
of the foreigners lived. During the old
kings absence, the prince land recognized
heir to the kingship) exercised the powers
and duties Of regent So we proceeded
to his house. the usual great, barn-like
structure of chief, situated near the CEN
tire of the town. The only marked differ
ence between the appearance Of Mbau and
that of Rewa, was the absence of trees.
The place was little more than an eleva-
tion of the surrounding coral reef, on
which sand had accumulated. and about
the only vegetation to be seen. was here
and there a cocoanut or pandanus tree.
But the people of the place lacked for
nothing. Canoes were constantly arriving
from the different islands subject to the
king of Mbau, bringing the abundance Of
the land to feed the naughty and fierce
conquerors.
We found Thakombau literally, "the
Lord of Mbau y seated in naked majesty.
cross-legged, and surrounded by his attend
ants, male and female. A yellow COM
plexioned and pleasing featured young wo-
man, native of Tongatabu-known on
the charts as the Friendly Islands-was
busily plying the fan. This was his favor
ite wife. The prince received US with
easy dignity, and after we were seated,
food was placed before us, which it would
seem is always kept hot in Fiji house.
First, however, the usual angona laval
was provided, but declined by US. where
upon the prince drank cup-full, amid the
clapping of hands and singing Of the re-
tainers. The remainder Of the contents Of
the tanca, or wooden bowl, were then
poured out upon the ground. for by Fiji
etiquette, no one can drink after chief.
Our breakfast over, the captain opened
his business. by first presenting a large
whales tooth. Whales teeth, next to
muskets and ammunition, arc the highest
priced articles of trade in the islands.
This was received with great deal Of GER
emony, the clappiDg Of hands being led
by the prince himself. and expressive Of
his satisfaction. The retainers all followed
suit, cIapping loudly IN concord. and wind