320 A NATURALIST OX THE " CHALLENGER." 



and wanting to know even the numbers of wooden and iron 

 ships. The information we gave him drew from him the 

 remark that the English were a wonderful people, far greater 

 than the Fijians. 



The house was a large barn-like one of ordinary Fijian 

 structure, with tall open roof, and a sleeping place separated off 

 at one end with a "tappa" curtain. There was the usual square 

 hearth, with its edging of stone. Overhead were stored the 

 heads of canoe masts. A European chest of drawers, a table, 

 a lamp, and two tin coffee pots, were the only visible articles of 

 luxury. Against the door-post hung a fine club, freshly painted 

 blue, belonging to the king's youngest son. 



We asked the king for a pilot, to take us up the mouth of 

 the Wai Levu, the great river which opens nearly opposite 

 Mbau. He sent out at once to order one for us, and we took our 

 leave of this knowing old Christian, who is currently reported 

 to have partaken of 2,000 human bodies, and is certainly known 

 to have cut out, cooked and eaten a man's tongue, in the man's 

 sight, as a preparation to putting the rest of him in the oven, 

 and that merely to spite the man because he begged hard not 

 to be tortured, but to be clubbed at once. 



The contrast between Thackombau and King George of Tonga 

 was very striking, at least as far as concerns their behaviour 

 before visitors. Thackombau took the liveliest interest in every- 

 thing, and put question after question, whereas it seemed im- 

 possible to interest King George in any subject. He said nothing 

 at all during our interview. Both are warriors of renown, and 

 fought their way to their positions. 



Eatu David the eldest son of Thackombau was very hospi- 

 table, and invited us to drink kaava with him in the evening, 

 when he produced a bottle of brandy also. We wished to see 

 a dance, but this was not possible, because it was Saturday 

 evening, which is by order of the missionaries kept in a certain 

 way sacred, as a preparation for Sunday. For the same reason 

 Eatu David dare not allow his retinue to sing a chant used 

 during kaava drinking, and which we were anxious to hear. 



We pitched a sort of tent on a very small islet, about forty 

 yards off Mbau, and slept there. Eatu David sent us off a 



