CHARLES WILKES. 355 



human race. Their color is nearly black ; and they 

 are entirely naked, with the exception of a band 

 around their loins and head. They possess no 

 wealth, and to them a whale's tooth is the most 

 inestimable of treasures. 



Captain Wilkes and his officers explored the in- 

 terior of the island of Ovolau. They succeeded in 

 reaching the summit of Andulong, the highest 

 mountain in the group; and they made many inte- 

 resting discoveries in the botany and mineralogy of 

 the country. The name of the king was Janoa, 

 whose power was absolute and despotic. On one 

 occasion the royal savage visited the flag-ship 

 together with several of his chiefs. He was at first 

 offended because he was not received with a salute ; 

 but his anger was afterward propitiated. 



In the progress of several weeks, all the largest 

 islands of the Feejee group were visited and sur- 

 veyed. The officers were unmolested by the natives 

 until on the 24th of July, when Lieutenant Under- 

 wood and Midshipman Henry were murdered in 

 cold blood on the island Malolo-leon'. 



Captain Wilkes determined to punish the savages 

 with the utmost severity. By his orders eighty 

 men landed on the island, who attacked the fortified 

 village. This was soon set on fire and burned. A 

 large number were slain, and the remainder of the 



