1840.] STARLING DESPATCHED TO LIBOOKA.

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brothers, or the chiefs, would venture within our power for some days. This partly vanished, when it became known that it was a British vessel of war. The king, however, refused to come until I had paid him a visit, which my duties prevented for some days.

On the second day after our arrival, Mrs. Cargill died, and as my duties rendered my absence impossible, the senior lieutenant, attended by all the officers who could be spared, was sent to attend the funeral.

As there was a probability that one of the American ships could spare us rudder pintles, the Starling was immediately despatched to make the necessary application; on which occasion, Phillips, (the king's brother,) who speaks English well, volunteered to pilot the schooner to Libooka, where the Peacock was supposed to be at anchor.

In the meantime the rudder was hoisted in, and preparations made for securing it, in the event of her mission proving unsuccessful.

Measures were taken to complete the survey of this port; and the tents, &c., were pitched on the island of Nukulau, for obtaining the necessary suite of magnetic observations, &c. For several days we were beset by the natives, and were finally compelled to erect barrier lines, and appoint a guard to keep them at a proper distance; not from any troublesome conduct on their part, but the nature of the observations did not admit of the vibrations caused

by such numbers walking to and fro on the loose sand.

The king's brother, Garin-ga-ria, paid us a visit, in order to ascertain what he could pick up, and numerous spears, clubs, bows, arrows, and ornaments, were brought for sale; but, as customary with these people, they were exorbitant in their demands - whale's teeth, knives, &c., being the objects sought in exchange. My object was first to secure pigs and yams for the crew, and then look for arms, curiosities, &c. Indeed, I had promised Phillips, to await his return. Some few pigs, yams, and fruit, were purchased. Vermillion was found to be an article in great demand amongst the ladies; I therefore gave them to understand I should reserve this for shells, which they were to seek on the reefs, and with which we were soon inundated: although none of them were of any value.

The canoes bound for Cantab, unfortunately for us, put back the moment they perceived the ship at anchor, making our island their rendezvous, and rendering it a difficult matter to preserve order. However, as some of the principal chiefs accompanied Garin-ga-ria, as well as their interpreter, and "lawyer," I made known my wish to have the space occupied by my party tabooed.

In a few minutes the lawyer, or crown orator, made known that he was about to address them. As if by magic, every one immediately became seated, and a simultaneous signal, by clapping the hands

and a hollow nasal whoo, denoted that they were attentive.

The manner and gesture of the orator was energetic and admirable, but as we understood nothing that 'was uttered, all that we can say is, that many parts of his harangue were specially applauded, and at its termination the same whoo and clapping of hands ensued.

I was now informed by the interpreters, (an American black, and two or three Tahitans,) that they would observe my wishes and respect the boundaries, which we accordingly formed by stretching lead lines from post to post. It is a curious fact, observed throughout the groups from Marquesas to this island, that a native will seldom stoop to pass under a line; and in many cases rather than step over it, even when lying on the ground, they would walk entirely round the end. This was rigidly adhered to at Marquesas. I have my doubts if this line of demarcation is not offensive to them.

Notwithstanding the efforts of the crown lawyer, I found that nothing but "vi et armis" would preserve the boundary, and was compelled, therefore, to keep sentinels constantly on the alert. These interpreters alluded to are foreigners taken under the protection of different chiefs; they are, de facto, their slaves so long as they are maintained, and are even compelled to feed their masters when the custom of the country, or their being placed under Tambo (or tabu) prevents their touching their own food with their hands. I am sorry to say that Englishmen are amongst the

number. One of these, the American black, I took into my service during our stay, as interpreter, and he behaved satisfactorily.

Finding that the king was afraid to visit the ship, in consequence of my failure in visiting the town of Rewa, I determined on sacrificing a few hours and paying him a visit; as, until he was propitiated, there was no chance of obtaining the necessary supplies of hogs and vegetables. I therefore started, taking with me Lieut. Monypenny.

The distance to the town of Rewa from the anchorage is about six miles, and two to the mouth of the river, studded with unpleasant sand banks, over which there is about three feet at low water, and on which the capricious rollers at times suddenly bestow a ducking. After entering the river, the channel at low water becomes tortuous, and the drain generally bears out, although the main-banks are about four hundred yards asunder. The canoes are generally forced up by poles, similar to punting on the Thames.

The town of Rewa is situated about half a mile from the bank of the river, on the right bank of a creek, which shoots off abruptly from the main stream the width of the creek at that point not exceeding one hundred yards.

The houses, which overlook the creek in some places, are firmly constructed with posts, which do not rise more than seven feet from the earth. On these arise very lofty pitched roofs, varying from

twenty-five to thirty feet in height, and in some instances thatched to the thickness of two feet. The doors are small, excepting in the state-house, and resemble windows or ports; those in elevated mounds with ditches remind one strongly of block-houses. In the state-house the resemblance is rendered still closer by the presence of two ship guns, as if prepared for war; certainly not very appropriate chamber companions.

The establishment of the king is situated upon a bend of the creek, the houses of his queens occupying the water-side, and his own being in an open area, in which also is the house of his principal queen, the tomb of his father and brothers, and the " fighting Bourri," or temple. This latter is a small building about twelve feet square, erected upon a mound of about ten feet elevation. The thatched roof is very steep, probably thirty feet, across the summit of which is a pole projecting about three feet at each