248 A MISSION TO ViTI. 



daunted, retreated to the mountains at the back of Nu- 

 kubati, where he was regularly besieged. But fate was 

 against him. Chief Bonaveidogo, one of his followers, 

 at this critical time went over to Maafu's side, to save his 

 life and that of his vassals ; and Bitova, finding further 

 resistance on the Macuata coast hopeless, escaped with 

 the remnant still firm to him across the mountains to 

 Solevu, where Tui Wai Nunu, a chief friendly to him, 

 resided. 



Solevu (Sualib, of Wilkes) is a little district on the 

 southern side of Vanua Levu, between Bua and Cakau- 

 drove, which acknowledged a sort of vassalage to Bau, 

 but was otherwise independent. In order to humour 

 Tui Bua, who was eager to annex this district to his 

 territories, Maafu had promised to subject it for him, 

 and with that view had already left in it a detachment 

 of men. By Ritova's retreat to this very district, a fine 

 opportunity of killing two birds with one stone pre- 

 sented itself. Rounding the western parts of Yanua 

 Levu, the allied forces appeared before the town of So- 

 levu, which, being strongly fortified, held out against 

 the invaders three whole months. At the end of that 

 time, the besieged were in extreme want of fresh water, 

 the besiegers having diverted a rivulet supplying the 

 town from its course, and all the wells being dry. Un- 

 able to hold out any longer, Solevu surrendered. When 

 Ritova and Tui Wai Nunu heard this news, they per- 

 ceived it was hopeless to prolong the struggle. Mean- 

 while Maafu had caused it to be known that he had 

 promised Mr. Swanston, the acting British Consul, to 

 spare Ritova's life, if he were taken. Ritova therefore 



