OVOLAU. 65 



on Vitilevu; the islands of Ovolau, Goro, Ambatiki, Angau, and 

 others were subject to it, as was also Rewa. The introduction of 

 fire-arms brought about a great change of power ; this happened in 

 the year 1809. The brig Eliza was wrecked on the reef off Nairai, 

 and had both guns and powder on board. Nairai was at this time a 

 dependency of Ambau, and many of the crew, in order to preserve 

 their lives, showed the natives the use of (to them) the new instru- 

 ment. Among the crew was a Swede, called Charley Savage, who 

 acted a very conspicuous part in the group for some few years. These 

 men joined the Ambau people, instructed them in the use of the 

 musket, and assisted them in their wars. The chief of Ambau was 

 at that time Ulivou, who gladly availed himself of their services, 

 granting them many privileges ; among others, it is said that Charley 

 Savage had a hundred wives ! Taking advantage of all the means he 

 now possessed to extend his own power and reduce that of Verata, he 

 finally succeeded, either by fighting or intrigue, in cutting off all 

 its dependencies, leaving the chief of Verata only his town to rule 

 over. 



In the early part of Ulivou's reign a conspiracy broke out against 

 him, but he discovered it, and was able to expel the rebels from 

 Ambau. They fled to Rewa, where they made some show of resis- 

 tance ; he however overcame them. They then took refuge on Goro, 

 where he again sought them, pursued them to Somu-somu, and drove 

 them thence. Their next step was to go to Lakemba, in order to collect 

 a large fleet of canoes and riches, for the purpose of gaining allies on 

 Vitilevu; but they were again pursued, and being met with at sea, 

 were completely destroyed. This fully established Ulivou's autho- 

 rity, and the latter part of his reign was unmarked by any disturb- 

 ances or rebellion against his rule. He died in 1829. Tanoa, his 

 brother, the present king, was at this time at Lakemba, on one of the 

 eastern islands, engaged, according to Whippy, in building a large 

 canoe, which he named Ndranuivio, (the Via-leaf,) a large plant of 

 the arum species. When the news reached him, he immediately em- 

 barked for Ambau, and on his arrival found all the chiefs disposed 

 to make him king. It is said that he at first refused the dignity, 

 lest "they should make a fool of him;" but by promises and per- 

 suasion he was induced to accede. Preparations were accordingly 

 made to install him. This ceremony is performed by the Levuka 

 people, the original inhabitants of Ambau, uniting with those of 

 Kamba, inhabiting a town near Kamba Point, the most eastern point 

 of Vitilevu, and about ten miles east of Ambau. As soon as the 



VOL. III. 17 



