162 TEE CRUISE OF THE 'CUBAQOA: 



boards on which it was served, like small butcher's trays, 

 were very clean, and covered with banana-leaves, and the 

 food rolled up in small balls, and also covered with green 

 leaves. He had several different dishes, each on its own 

 tray, and each removed when finished by a little boy, who 

 crawled up to it and crawled back again. Lastly, he had 

 water brought to wash his hands and mouth, and when he 

 had finished there was a general clapping of hands by all 

 present. 



With a countenance not only void of ferocity, but ex- 

 pressive of good humour, and with a character which has 

 shown itself consistent with the requirements of civihsation, 

 it is difficult to conceive that he should once have been a 

 cannibal a outrance, and have been in the habit of indi- 

 cating with his club the bodies suspended by their feet in 

 the royal larder, which were to have the honour of being 

 served up for his repast. There was an interchange of 

 civilities between him and tiae Conmiodore and also of 

 presents. The Commodore gave him his own rifle, a 

 Westly-Eichards, with which he was delighted, so delighted 

 that in return he gave the Commodore his great kava bowl. 

 In heathen times it was around this bowl that the great 

 ceremonies and mysteries of the country were celebrated. 

 It was in its presence that the ancestors of Thakumbau, 

 and tliis chief himself, if not actually crowned, received and 

 had confirmed to them the sovereignty of their dominions. 

 Many a sad tale could doubtless be told of the frightful 

 orgies committed, and of the scenes of carnage that were 



