THE CESSION OF FIJI. 3 r 



' After consulting those best acquainted with the natives, and 

 having been assured ' by them that the performance of the 

 ceremony would undoubtedly afford me a great hold over both 

 chiefs and people, I assented to Cacobau's proposal ; and on 

 the llth instant the ceremony took place at Bau, a locality 

 selected by me for its performance, on account of its being the 

 ancient capital, the traditional head-quarters in former times of 

 cannibalism and heathen superstitions, and a place still of 

 so much importance that its common people are regarded as 

 chiefs in other parts of the group. 



' Bau is a small island some twenty miles from Levuka, very 

 near the mainland of Viti Levu, and entirely covered with 

 houses, which cluster round a low hill in its midst. Its 

 aspect, always picturesque, was rendered doubly so on the 

 occasion of my arrival, by the crowds assembled to witness my 

 landing. 



' As I stepped from the boat in which I had sailed down 

 from Levuka, Cacobau, after saluting me with the " tama," 

 or cry of respect, took me by the hand and led me, still 

 holding it, through the streets of the town. We walked 

 thus along a broad road, shaded in some places by trees, past 

 the sites of heathen temples, now destroyed, past the upright 

 stones which mark the ancient places of sacrifice, and at length 

 reached the entrance of his own residence. 



' The way was lined by men and women in clean bright 

 dresses, and seated on the ground in perfect silence, in the 

 crouching attitude of Fijian respect. 



'On entering the house I was conducted to the dais, 

 Cacobau taking his own seat below me on the floor. 



' An interesting conversation ensued, in which the Vuni 

 Valu very emphatically repeated many times, and I have no 

 doubt with perfect sincerity, the expression of his satisfaction 



