FEJEE ISLANDS. 147 



all the guns ; shifted our berth nearer the Observatory, and at 

 sunset sent 25 men in charge of Messrs. De Haven and San- 

 ford to protect it. We also have Tanoa's son, Seruh, on 

 board as a hostage. Signals were concerted with the observa- 

 tory in case of an attack, and the battery got ready to give an 

 enemy a warm reception. 



May 24th. At an early hour this morning Seruh took his 

 departure for Ambou. To-day one of the sailors stationed at 

 the Observatory, reported a native for stealing his sheath- 

 knife. Levuka immediately had the thief apprehended, and 

 sent on board for us to punish. He is now confined in the 

 "Brig," but he denies having taken the knife in question; 

 yet Levuka wonders that we do not kill him ! 



May 25th. This afternoon the native prisoner alluded to 

 in the foregoing remarks, was released from confinement, as 

 there was not sufficient proof to establish his guilt. The poor 

 fellow's joy amounted well nigh to a phrenzy. He shouted 

 and clapped his hands, and then running up to the spar-deck, 

 he plunged into the water and swam to the shore. A canoe, 

 which arrived a few hours since from Rewa, reports that the 

 excitement caused by the capture of Vendovi has entirely sub- 

 sided, and a majority of the people considered him a dangerous 

 individual, and were glad to have him removed from among 

 them. 



June 2d. At 1.15 P. M., H. B. M. schooner " Starling," 

 tender to the " Sulphur," Captain Belcher, arrived direct 

 from Rewa. Her commander, Lieutenant Kellet, informed 

 us that the object of his visit was to obtain from us a rudder- 

 pintle for the " Sulphur," she having carried away one of 

 hers by encountering a coral-rock when going into Rewa. 



Seruh paid us another visit to-day, and brought yams, pigs, 

 and other provisions, as a present. 



