REWA. 129 



on by his white steward (an Italian), who was left here sick by the 

 Currency Lass under his charge. He has also a white carpenter. 



The night was passed tincomfortably, in consequence of the many 

 noisy natives who assembled to drink ava. The ava-bowl of Phil- 

 lips was three feet in diameter. In drinking the ava, the first cup 

 was handed to Phillips, and as there was more in it than he chose 

 to drink, the remainder was poured back into the bowl. The cere- 

 mony of clapping of hands was then performed. Instead, however, 

 of their serving out more ava from the bowl, the whole was thrown 

 away, for it is the custom that when any is poured back from the 

 chief's cup, none must drink from the vessel. More ava was there- 

 fore prepared, which they sat drinking nearly all night. The usual 

 savage hospitality was offered each of them, and they kept their arms 

 and accoutrements in readiness. 



- , ""■■ ■--,'.; 



ilillPPIIf? 

 THOKANAUTO, OR MR. PHILLIPS. 



The next morning they proceeded up the river, the banks of 

 which were from eight to ten feet above the water, and covered with 

 a thick growth of reeds. Beyond them are well-cultivated fields of 

 taro, yams, and bananas, as before described ; all giving evidence of 

 the overflowing of the banks. Islets were continually passed, and 

 many towns containing from two or three hundred to a thousand 

 inhabitants. Numerous creeks disembogued on both sides. 



The town of Nou Souri was next passed. Here the chief Cornu- 

 balavoo sent presents to them — he is the cousin of Phillips — and 

 afterwards accompanied them up the river in a canoe. 



About seven miles up from Rewa is a creek leading to Ambau, 

 vol. m. 33 



