152 A MISSION TO VITI. 



rasped sugar-cane, were brought in and presented to 

 Chief Kuruduadua, who, after accepting the gift through 

 his speaking-man, again presented it to us. We had to 

 go through the same ceremony of accepting the food, 

 and had also the obligation to distribute it amongst the 

 whole travelling party. This task was accomplished 

 satisfactorily by Danford, whom his long life amongst 

 the mountain tribes of Viti Levu has made familiar with 

 all their complicated ceremonies. 



After supper the kava bowl was brought out. Whilst 

 the beverage was preparing the whole assembly chanted 

 songs ; and when ready, Danford gave the toast, and the 

 cup-bearer handed the first cocoa-nut full to the chief. 

 As soon as our bowl was empty, another and another 

 was prepared, until the whole company had been served. 

 Fortunately, kava, unlike distilled spirits, does not make 

 people quarrelsome ; it has rather, like tobacco, a calm- 

 ing effect; and when Fijians extol the virtues of their 

 national beverage, they often, and justly, make this ob- 

 servation. 



When leaving Navua we had more volunteers for 

 accompanying us than there was any occasion to em- 

 ploy, and we were compelled to reject the services of a 

 good many. Amongst them was a young chief, named 

 Soromato, or, as his companions nicknamed him, "Monte- 

 monte." I told him that I did not wish to crowd our 

 canoe, and he must stay behind ; but he declared that 

 he had made up his mind not to leave me as long as I 

 was in the island. 1 told him I would not have him on 

 any account, and if he did not take himself on shore 

 directly, I would pitch him in the river. He intimated 



