108 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 



at the observatory, became an eye-witness of an attempt of the kind. 

 The daughter of the Vi Tonga* chief, with some of her companions, 

 was engaged in fishing on the reef in a small canoe. By some acci- 

 dent the canoe was swamped, which rendered them a prize to whoever 

 should capture them. A canoe from Ambau had watched the poor 

 creatures like a hawk, and, as soon as the accident happened, pounced 

 upon them. The men in the canoe succeeded in capturing the chief's 

 daughter, and forced her into the vessel. When near the shore, how- 

 ever, she contrived to make her escape by jumping overboard, and 

 reached the shore before they could overtake her. Clubs and spears 

 were thrown at her, with no other effect than a slight scratch under 

 the arm, and a bruise on her shoulder. On the beach she was re- 

 ceived by her friends, who stood ready to protect her, upon which 

 the Arnbau people gave up the pursuit. 



The cannibal propensity is not limited to enemies or persons of a 

 different tribe, but they will banquet on the flesh of their dearest 

 friends, and it is even related, that in times of scarcity, families will 

 make an exchange of children for this horrid purpose. 



The flesh of women is preferred to that of men, and they consider 

 the flesh of the arm above the elbow, and of the thigh, as the choicest 

 parts. The women are not allowed to eat it openly, but it is said that 

 the wives of chiefs do partake of it in private. It is also forbidden to 

 the kai-si, or common people, unless there be a great quantity, but 

 they have an opportunity of picking the bones. 



As a further instance of these cannibal propensities, and to show 

 that the sacrifice of human life to gratify their passions and appetites 

 is of almost daily occurrence, a feast frequently takes place among 

 the chiefs, to which each is required to bring a pig. On these occa- 

 sions Tanoa, from pride and ostentation, always furnishes a human 

 body. 



A whale's tooth is about the price of a human life, even when the 

 party slain is of rank, as will be shown by the following anecdotes. 

 Rivaletta, the youngest son of Tanoa, while passing along the north 

 end of Ovolau in his canoe, descried a fishing party. He at once 

 determined to possess himself of what they had taken, and for this 

 purpose dashed in among them, and fired his musket. The shot 

 killed a young man, who proved to be a nephew of Tui Levuka, the 

 chief of Ovolau, and was recognised by some of Rivaletta's followers. 



* Vi Tonga is a town immediately below the point on which the observatory was 

 placed. 



