MR. STORCK'S ILLNESS. BEGA. 211 



even feed him, his appetite being good all the while; 

 and he, poor fellow, was so helpless that at one time he 

 was falling in the sea, and only saved by the presence of 

 mind of one on board. All the Fijian doctors recom- 

 mended the external application of Dilo oil ; and for 

 some calico we obtained two gourd-flasks full, with which 

 the patient was rubbed several times a day. Fortunately 

 our voyage was drawing to a close ; and I am happy to 

 add, the greater comfort and change of food at Ovalau 

 soon restored him to perfect health. 



We intended to proceed from Bega direct to Ovalau, 

 but towards evening the weather became so fine 

 every sign of rain having disappeared that the idea 

 struck us to run over once more to Kadavu, and ascend 

 if possible Buke Levu, the great mountain. The passage 

 between Bega and Kadavu being an open sea, and we 

 having a good pilot on board, in the person of Mr. 

 Charles Wise, the consular interpreter, we left Bega just 

 whilst the sun was gilding the feathery tops of the 

 cocoa-nut palms, and diffusing a bright hue over the 

 white coral beaches. 



Sailing all night, daybreak disclosed the bold out- 

 line of Buke Levu, a mountain 3800 feet high, situate 

 on the north-west point of Kadavu, and deriving its 

 name from a certain resemblance to the hillocks (Buke) 

 on which yams are planted; hence Buke Levu, the 

 " large yam hill." No white man had ever ascended 

 it, and, though laid down in the latest maps, its very 

 name was not recorded. It will be remembered that 

 we had made two distinct efforts to reach its summit, but 

 were baffled by gales and rain. We now were about to 



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