R E W A. 145 



of it, and were fully sensible that it was just that Vendovi should be 

 punished. Mr. Cargill spoke much of the vast benefit that would 

 result from our visit, not only to the trading vessels and whites gene- 

 rally, but also to the natives, as well as the advantage it would be to 

 the missionary cause. 



The surveys of the harbour having been all completed and joined 

 with the survey of the river, made by Lieutenant Budd and Passed 

 Midshipman Davis, — both of whom deserve much credit for the 

 manner in which their operations were conducted, not only as re- 

 gards the duties performed, but the care and attention they paid to 

 the party entrusted to their charge, — preparations were now made for 

 sailing; but, owing to the wind being ahead, they were not able to 

 pass the reefs until the morning of the 23d ; in the mean time, Oahu 

 Sam was received on board as Vendovi's barber. When they got to 

 sea, Captain Hudson again examined Vendovi, before several of the 

 officers, respecting the Kantavu murder, and the part he had himself 

 taken in it. He stated, that he was sent by Ngaraningiou to pilot the 

 brig to Kantavu, and that a chief of that place, called Thebau, who is 

 now dead, was to take the vessel for Ngaraningiou. Thebau was to 

 make what he could for himself, and was the leader of the conspiracy 

 to murder the crew. Ten of the crew were killed, eight of them in 

 the biche de mar house, and the mate and boy near the boat. The 

 people of the towns of Numbuwallo, Lueti, and Roro, had cut large 

 vines to pass under the cable, for the purpose of hauling the vessel on 

 shore during the night. He also stated that a black man had been 

 roasted and eaten by the natives, but that he himself did not partake. 

 Nine bodies were given up to Paddy Connel, and were taken on board, 

 sewed up in canvass, and sunk alongside. The bodies afterwards 

 floated on shore, and were eaten by the natives. His statement, 

 therefore, conformed to that of Paddy in all important particulars. 



Vendovi likewise mentioned another act of his, as follows. About 

 two years before, the mate of the whale-ship Nimrod, of Sydney, 

 New South Wales, landed at Kantavu to purchase provisions. Ven- 

 dovi saw some large whales' teeth in possession of the mate, in order 

 to obtain which, he made him and the boat's crew prisoners. He 

 then told the mate to write to his captain to ransom him and his men, 

 and that he must have fifty whales' teeth, four axes, two plates, a case 

 of pipes, a bundle of fish-hooks, an iron pot, and a bale of cloth. 

 These were all sent him, and they were released, he giving the mate 

 a present of a head of tortoise-shell. 



vol. in. 37 



