REWA. 135 



were immediately informed, through the interpreter, that they were 

 prisoners, and that the object was to obtain Vendovi, the murderer of 

 the crew of the Charles Doggett, some eight years before. It may 

 readily be imagined that this announcement threw them all into great 

 consternation, while it was, at the same time, a matter of surprise to all 

 the officers of the ship. The poor queen was apparently the most 

 alarmed, and anxiously inquired of Phillips if they were all to be put 

 to death. Phillips was equally frightened with the rest, and it was 

 observed that his nerves were so much affected for some time after- 

 wards that he was unable to light a cigar that was given him, and 

 could not speak distinctly. Captain Hudson reminded them, that 

 they had visited the ship of their own accord, and without any pro- 

 mise of safeguard from him ; that his object was to obtain Vendovi, 

 and that all hopes of obtaining him without this decisive measure 

 had failed ; that he meant them no harm, but it was his intention to 

 detain them until Vendovi was brought off. The canoes were like- 

 wise secured, and orders given to allow none to leave the ship. The 

 whole party thus made prisoners consisted of seventy or eighty 

 natives. 



The king and chiefs, when they had recovered themselves a little, 

 acknowledged that our demand was a just one ; that Vendovi deserved 

 to be punished; that he was a dangerous character among themselves; 

 and that they would be glad to see him removed. At the same time, 

 they said they thought the capture of Vendovi impossible, and gave 

 many reasons for this opinion. They expressed great fears for the 

 missionaries and their families, when the people of Rewa should hear 

 of their detention. Captain Hudson had assured himself previously 

 of the perfect safety of the missionaries and their families, and well 

 knew that this was a ruse on the part of the king to induce him to 

 change his purpose. 



They soon found him fully determined in his purpose. It was 

 shortly arranged that, with his permission, Ngaraningiou and another 

 chief should go quietly to Rewa, take Vendovi by surprise, before 

 he had time to escape, and bring him on board alive if possible. 

 In order to insure protection to the missionaries and their establish- 

 ments, they were particularly told that the missionaries had nothing 

 to do with the business, and did not know of it, as was evident from 

 Mr. Jagger having returned to Rewa before they were detained, and 

 that every influence must be exerted to protect them from harm, or 

 the prisoners might expect the most exemplary punishment. 



