REWA. 117 



reefs. Here the launch and first cutter again left the Peacock, on 

 their way to the island of Mbenga, to the westward. 



Captain Hudson, after anchoring, sent Lieutenant Budd to the 

 town of Rewa for the purpose of communicating with the king and 

 chiefs, and of obtaining the services of Thokanauto (Mr. Phillips) as 

 interpreter and pilot. Lieutenant Budd observed much apparent fear 

 among the chiefs and people. The King, Kania, on the approach 

 of the boats, had gone to hide himself in the outskirts of the town, 

 but Mr. Phillips was met on the way coming towards them, and 

 after much hesitation determined to accompany Mr. Budd on board 

 the ship. The natives appeared to entertain the same fears as their 

 chief. 



Phillips is about thirty years of age, of middle size, active, and 

 well made; he is more intelligent than the natives generally, and 

 his appearance less savage ; he speaks English tolerably well, though 

 it is not difficult to perceive whence he has obtained his knowledge of 

 it by the phrases he makes use of. It was not a little comical to hear 

 a Feejee man talk of " New York highbinders," " Boston dandies," 

 "Baltimore mobtowns." On assurances being given to the natives 

 that we were their friends, they became more reconciled, and after a 

 time the King Kania or Tui Ndraketi was found, and invitations 

 delivered to him to pay a visit to the ship. Lieutenant Budd then 

 crossed the river to the missionaries' houses, where he saw their 

 wives* and found Mr. Jagger, who is one of the mission. The Rev. 

 Mr. Cargill had visited the ship shortly after the Peacock anchored ; 

 his canoe was manned by Tonga men. He was on his way to a town 

 fifteen miles distant, where the chief and a few of the people had just 

 embraced Christianity. He was invited to preach on board the next 

 day; he complied, and delivered an excellent discourse. 



On the morning of the 18th, Monday, the king and his brother, 

 Ngaraningiou, visited the ship. The king came in a canoe of 

 beautiful construction, about forty feet in length, propelled by pad- 

 dles, which the king alone is allowed to use. Ngaraningiou was in 

 a much larger canoe, having a large mast and sail, and the chief's 

 pennant flying from the yard, but sculls were used. 



Captain Hudson now despatched Lieutenant Budd and Passed 

 Midshipman Davis, with two boats, up the river. Mr. Peale, one of 

 the naturalists, went with this expedition, and Mr. Phillips's services 

 were engaged to accompany and protect the boats in the exploration 

 of the river. 



vol. in. , 30 



