140 FEJEE ISLANDS. 



ened with total shipwreck. She was finally, however, hauled 

 off, and the only damage sustained was the loss of part of her 

 false keel. 



In the course of the 12th, King Tanoa arrived from Am- 

 bou, and sent his messenger on board to say to Captain 

 Wilkes that he and his chiefs were coming next day to pay 

 him an official visit. The messenger was instructed to state 

 to the king that we would be prepared to receive him. His 

 majesty disembarked, accompanied by his attendants, and 

 proceeded directly to the Council House, which is the place 

 where all strangers are entertained. Here they seated them- 

 selves, and commenced exchanging compliments with the Chief 

 Levuka, and his head men. When this was over, the common 

 people brought food and placed it before the visitors ; it con- 

 sisted of yams, taro, bread-fruit, and a roasted pig ; the 

 present was accompanied by a speech from Levuka, to which 

 the King's Prime Minister replied ; then came clapping of 

 hands, which is the Fejee mode of expressing thanks. When 

 the meal was over, they all indulged in large potations of ava, 

 which also was furnished by the Levukians. 



At 10 A. M., the king and his chiefs visited the ship. 

 They were received with a guard and by all the officers belong- 

 ing to the " Peacock," Flying Fish," and this ship. The 

 quarter-deck was also dressed off for their reception. When 

 the king came over the side Captain Wilkes took him by the 

 hand, and led him aft on the quarter-deck, where he was in- 

 vited to take a seat. For a considerable time his majesty 

 said nothing, nor could we conjecture what caused him to 

 be so silent ; at length, however, he directed the interpreter, 

 David Whippy, to ask if we were offended with him, adding, 

 that he was led to suppose so, from the fact that we did not 

 fire a salute upon his coming on board. Whippy was directed 



