DEPARTURE .FROM NUKUBATI. 267 



board. They had not thought it possible that affairs 

 with Bete could be arranged amicably, and therefore had 

 not come direct. When Bitova's son soon aftej: stepped 

 on shore, he could scarcely believe that he was actually 

 treading on his native isle. " Is this really the sand of 

 NukubatH" he exclaimed; " really my home 1 Yes, it 

 is, thanks to the Consul." His companions felt equally 

 grateful, but gratitude in the Fijian always seeks ex- 

 pression in gifts, and their greatest sorrow was that 

 they had nothing to give ; even Ritova was uneasy on 

 this point. If any brother-chief had effected his resto- 

 ration, custom would have demanded that Eitova should 

 collect all the goods he could by the twelvemonth, or 

 later, invite his allies to a great festival, and publicly, 

 with an appropriate speech, hand the presents over to 

 them. The Consul explained in unmistakeable language 

 that all he asked in return for what had been done, was 

 the resumption of Ritova's former activity in trading 

 with the white men, and the same friendly treatment 

 of his customers he had invariably bestowed upon them 

 when chief ruler of Macuata. 



On the 30th of October a schooner arrived from Ova- 

 lau with dispatches, urgently calling Mr. Prit chard's 

 attention to another part of the group. Going on shore 

 to wish Ritova good-bye, we met deputations delivering 

 addresses from towns which had heard of his return, 

 and sent whales' teeth and other acceptable presents in 

 proof of their devotion. When we returned on board, 

 the large triangular sails of the missing canoes appeared 

 on the horizon : all Ritova's little property was safe. 

 We fired a salute by way of farewell, and hoisting all 



