RITOVA. 263 
change of masters. What impressed me most favour- 
ably with Ritova was, that I once caught him, with his 
hands at his back, walking up and down in silent medi- 
tation behind his house, and on inquiry I found that 
such was his usual habit. Amongst Europeans this may 
be nothing uncommon, but amongst Fijians, or Polyne- 
sians in general, it is worth recording. 
My. Pritchard opened proceedings by expressing re- 
gret that Bete had not visited Cakaudrove, where his 
opinion might have influenced the result arrived at re- 
garding Macuata affairs. He then told him that, having 
refused his council, it had been settled without him that 
Ritova should return to Nukubati, and enjoy the undis- 
puted rights of his patrimonial estates. Ritova was now 
called, and though the two chiefs had for many a long 
year been neighbours, separated by a few miles, they 
now, for the first time in their lives, shook hands with 
each other: interested parties on both sides had always 
kept up a state of enmity between them. Bete, ad- 
dressed as Tui (King of) Macuata, according to a pre- 
vious arrangement with Ritova, was asked to express his 
views on the subject; but he at once begged that Ritova 
might take precedence, calling him the “ Vunivalu,” 
the highest title he could apply. Ritova expressed his 
desire to live in peace on his lands, to devote his ener- 
gies to the development of agriculture and trade; hoping, 
at the same time, that all old feuds might be consigned to 
oblivion. Bete echoed the same sentiments, and had no 
objection to sign a document to that effect, in which the 
two chiefs pledged themselves not to attack each other, 
or set on foot any measure or intrigue that might be at- 
