134 REWA. 



dren, and Ngaraningiou, together with the son of Vunivalu, came 

 on board. As Mr. Phillips was already there, all the royal family, 

 excepting Vendovi, were, by their own act, within our power, and it 

 was said he was also to come in the afternoon. There was an evident 

 constraint in the manner of the visiters, which was apparent from their 

 not expressing the usual astonishment at every thing they saw. Their 

 little daughter, of five or six years of age, had a sprightly counte- 

 nance, and, as is usual, her head was enveloped in twisted locks. 

 One of the officers presented her with a sash, which he tied on, and 

 the bystanders were much amused to see the queen rearranging it 

 after the Feejee fashion. 



The queen was observed to have paid more attention than is usual 

 to the decency of her dress, being enveloped in the pareu, after the 

 Tonga fashion. She is a fine-looking woman, with an intelligent 

 countenance. The king wore his maro, accompanied with the seavo, 

 which is the name they give to the long trains of tapa attached to it, 

 that are worn by chiefs to denote their rank. The seavo of the king 

 trailed several feet on the ground. 



The person who attracted the most attention was Ngaraningiou, 

 with his attendant chiefs. In truth, he came in fine style, moving 

 towards the ship in his beautiful canoe, with its long streamers (de- 

 noting the rank of the owner) floating in the breeze. When he came 

 on board, it was at once seen that he had decked himself specially for 

 the occasion. His face was painted red and black, which, if possible, 

 improved his appearance as a savage chief. He was, by far, the finest- 

 looking person among the whole assembled group. His hair was 

 frizzled out with great care ; around his neck he wore a necklace of 

 shells, with armlets of the trochus ; and his thighs were encircled with 

 a black cord. The usual seavo was worn by him, and over it a flounce 

 of black fringe, which added much to the effect of the whole, and 

 gave him the look of being partly dressed. Every exertion being 

 made to entertain them, the constraint they were under was soon dis- 

 sipated, and never did people seem to enjoy themselves more. 



It was hoped by Captain Hudson, until afternoon, that Vendovi 

 would make his appearance ; but four o'clock came, and no chief. 

 Captain Hudson then concluded that he was not coming, and that it 

 would be impossible to take him, unless by force. He therefore deter- 

 mined to try the expedient of retaining those he had on board until Ven- 

 dovi should be forthcoming. He ordered the drums to beat to quarters, 

 and placed a sentinel at the cabin-door, ordering at the same time that 

 all their canoes should be retained alongside. The king and chiefs 



