126 REWA. 



counter. It was not a little amusing to see them spitting at the 

 beast to drive him off. 



Ng-araningiou's dwelling was then visited. This is considered the 

 most elegant house in the Feejees. It is very elaborately ornamented 

 with sennit and braid. Order and decorum reign throughout, for 

 Ngaraningiou is extremely dignified and reserved in his domicile, 

 and is reputed to be somewhat of a tyrant. He will not suffer 

 any of the natives to approach and gaze in at his doors, which is a 

 common practice with them ; and when, on one occasion, a stranger 

 took the liberty to peep in at his door, he is said to have asked him if 

 his head was made of iron that he dared thus to presume. 



Thokanauto's house was occupied by several of our gentlemen 

 during their stay. It is quite a large establishment, and was one of 

 the noisiest that can well be imagined ; for Phillips himself being 

 absent with the boats, his wife did not possess the requisite authority 

 to maintain order. On the first night of their lodging there, about 

 fifty persons, men, women, and children, were collected, feasting, 

 drinking ava, and maintaining a prodigious racket. They were 

 apparently engaged in detailing and discussing the events that had 

 taken place on board ship, and the narrative was constantly inter- 

 rupted by jokes, laughter, expressions of astonishment, and arguments 

 leading to sharp words, until the shrill voice of the young mistress of 

 the mansion was heard in earnest expostulation. The eloquence of 

 Phillips's orator, and his many barbers, was not to be so easily 

 repressed; and, after a few moments' silence, an altercation arose, 

 that gradually grew into a quarrel and terminated in a furious fight, 

 in which one of the combatants was thrown against the musquito-bar 

 serving as a screen to our gentlemen, breaking down one end of it. 

 They now sought their arms, and placed themselves on their guard 

 for self-protection, not knowing what Feejee ferocity and treachery 

 might bring about. The hostess at last interfered with some effect, 

 and put down the commotion, and the house was quieted for the night, 

 excepting the rats and mice, which during the nocturnal hours took 

 full possession. Little can one imagine the noise of these rat races ; 

 Whittington's cat, here, would indeed be worth her golden price. 



Mr. Agate made good use of his short stay at Rewa. While wan- 

 dering about, he was met by a priest, who came to him and signified 

 by signs he wished him to sketch something, and at the same time 

 pointing to a house. Mr. Agate followed him in. There were a large 



