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 Ritova’s son soon after stepped 
on shore, he could scarcely believe that he was actually 
treading on his native isle. “Is this really the sand of 
Nukubati?” he exclaimed; “really my home? Yes, it 
is, thanks to the Consul.” His companions felt equally 
grate‘ul, 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 Ritova 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. Pritchard’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 
