234 A MISSION TO VITI. 



around him, he eagerly watched the moment when the 

 preparation of the kava was advanced to the stage at 

 which the prayer had to be said, and suddenly, to the 

 utter dismay of his enemies, he pronounced the well- 

 known formula. No one would now have dared to take 

 his life, and he had the keen satisfaction of partaking 

 of the refreshments provided for his own funeral. Ano- 

 ther old settler, American by birth, had also the misfor- 

 tune of being an object of hatred to a tribe opposed to, 

 and at war with, the chief under whom he lived ; and, 

 as ill-luck would have it, he met a strong party of his 

 enemies making straightway for his boat. They were 

 about to open fire upon him, when, with a coolness de- 

 serving all praise, he exclaimed : " Don't shoot ! I am 

 a herald of peace, charged with carrying the token of 

 surrender to your chief, and put a stop to further hos- 

 tilities." The stratagem succeeded, and the self-styled 

 herald effected his escape. 



I returned to Waikava on Saturday, October 20th, 

 and on Monday following the official meeting was held. 

 The chapel had been granted for that purpose. Mr. 

 Carey, the resident missionary, interpreted the official 

 business. Neither Bete nor Tui Bua had made their 

 appearance ; Eatu Golea dropped in when all was over ; 

 the only three chiefs therefore present were, Bitova, 

 Bonaveidogo, and Tui Cakau, the king of Cakaudrove. 

 After all business relating to the cession had been dis- 

 posed of, Mr. Pritchard was occupied several hours in 

 settling disputes between native and British subjects. 



Waikava, sometimes called Fawn Harbour, derives its 

 name from a little fish (Kava), which at a certain sea- 



