FEJEE ISLANDS. 155 



acquainted with her history ; and one day he related to me the 

 circumstances under which she came, or rather was forced, to 

 marry the old king. She had, while at her native island, 

 married a Tahitian who was residing there, and had gone with 

 him to Tahiti on a visit. Wishing to return to their home, 

 they had taken passage on board of a Salem vessel engaged in 

 the Biche de Mar trade. On arriving at Matawata, they 

 were invited to land and remain with some of her countrymen, 

 many of whom were residing there. Unfortunately, the king 

 saw her, and took a fancy to her ; and he immediately killed 

 and feasted on her husband, and then compelled her to become 

 one of his wives. The pilot added, that she was disgusted with 

 the old savage, and if she ever had the chance to run away 

 from him, she would avail herself of it. 



We found at Matawata a large number of plants which are 

 not noticed in any of the botanical works. 



On the 30th of July we commenced to survey the bay. 

 Next morning all the signals were found missing, the natives 

 having stolen them during the night. As such acts were cal- 

 culated to delay our operations, Captain Hudson sent an officer 

 to the king to state to him, that if the signals were not re- 

 stored by 12 o'clock on the same day, he should be obliged to 

 send an armed force on shore to punish the inhabitants. He 

 requested the officer to inform Captain Hudson that it was not 

 his people who had stolen the flags, but the natives who lived in 

 the mountains, and over whom he had no control. We had 

 good reasons for doubting his majesty's veracity, and on re- 

 demanding the signals they were brought on board. This 

 incident shows how little dependence can be placed on the 

 word of a Fejeeian. Indeed, I have been assured that they 

 tell a falsehood in preference, when the truth would better 

 answer their purpose ; and adroit lying is regarded as an 



