1G4 A MISSION TO VITI. 



glimpse of Bega; but that we should be able to see nearly 

 two-thirds of the whole group was a pleasure for which 

 we were unprepared, and which amply repaid the exer- 

 tion made in the ascent. A fire was kindled to let the 

 people of Namosi know of our success, and after collect- 

 ing specimens of the vegetation, and partaking of some 

 refreshment, we descended, and reached Namosi about 

 five P.M., the boys carrying baskets full of rare and new 

 plants. 



In the evening we paid a visit to a Bure Kalou (heathen 

 temple). Though not surrounded by a fence, it was 

 situated and similar to that at Nagadi, small and insig- 

 nificant in comparison with some of the temples near 

 the coast. Danford introduced us to the priest, who 

 kept up a roaring fire, which made the inside too hot 

 for us to stay longer than a few minutes. We were told 

 that the Kalou (= Spirit, God), for whom two-thirds of 

 the whole building were set apart by a screen of bamboo, 

 liked heat ; but I presume the only spirit fond of a good 

 fire was the priest himself, as he was rather an old 

 man. Hearing from Danford that one of our party, 

 disliking pork, had not eaten meat for several days, he 

 very good-naturedly let us have several fowls presented 

 to the temple. Danford dubbed them spirit-fowls, 

 and Mr. Pritchard turned them into excellent curry, 

 for which the materials were fetched fresh from the 

 bush. 



When retiring to the house, Danford occupied the 

 greater part of the evening by telling us one of the 

 best Fijian stories, one of the chiefs helping him out 

 when memory failed. It was that of the Princess Vili- 



