REWA. 133 



island of Mbenga. Having reached the mountains, they could pro- 

 ceed no further in the boats, and began to retrace their route. Near 

 the place where they turned back, there was a remarkable waterfall 

 of several hundred feet leap. 



The natives state that this river flows from a large lake in the 

 centre of Vitilevu, and that, by ascending the heights above Ragi- 

 ragi, the water may be seen.* 



On their return they were again presented by Savou with a load 

 of cooked provisions, and a fine red-striped variety of sugar-cane. 

 Savou seemed to be very desirous of mollifying Phillips's anger. 

 They were well drenched with rain all the afternoon, and reached 

 their old quarters at Coronganga just at dark. They had a disagree- 

 able night. The next morning they set out early, and reached Rewa 

 in the afternoon, without accident. Their royal guide presented each 

 of the party with something as a token of remembrance, even to each 

 of the boat's crew. 



Phillips returned on board ship with them, where a handsome 

 present awaited him, for his good and hospitable conduct. 



The number of inhabitants comprised in the towns and villages on 

 this river is, from the computation given by Phillips, about six or 

 seven thousand. 



The party having now returned, all the officers were ordered on 

 board. 



Captain Hudson's next step was to endeavour to capture Vendovi. 

 From information he obtained, it was believed that this chief intended 

 to visit the ship the next day, to receive the presents which, as was 

 given out, awaited his coming. Captain Hudson would then have 

 had an opportunity to detain him without any difficulty or disturb- 

 ance whatever. They all, therefore, left Rewa for the ship, and on 

 the way down the river, stopped at the small village of Vatia to pur- 

 chase some earthemvare ; this is a village of potters. They were at 

 once surrounded by several hundreds of the inhabitants, all pressing 

 their wares on them, of which they bought several specimens, but 

 not enough to satisfy the venders, who, when they found that the 

 officers did not intend to purchase more, hooted and shouted many 

 offensive epithets, that only became known through the interpreter's 

 report. 



At an early hour on the 21st, the king and queen, one of their chil- 



* This I very much doubt, as from the topography of the island it does not seem 

 probable. 



vol. in. 34 



