152 SOMU-SOMU. 



alike in point of face and feature, but Lajika is much darker in com- 

 plexion, and seems to have some Feejee blood in his veins. I learned 

 from one of the missionaries that the family of these Tongese was of 

 Feejee origin, their name being derived from the principal fortress on 

 Lakemba, called Tumboa. They are well received in the group, and 

 hospitably entertained by the kings and chiefs of Ambau. The minor 

 chiefs and people have, however, different feelings, and call them impu- 

 dent and greedy fellows, saying they breed a famine wherever they go. 



Lieutenant Carr also took with him, as a messenger or ambassador 

 from Tanoa, an Ambau chief of some note, called Corodowdow. He 

 was a true savage, well-formed, and of extraordinary size, being six 

 feet three inches in height; his features were finely formed, and his 

 countenance of the European cast; his colour a deep black ; his hair 

 was frizzled; he had a fine eye, and an intelligent expression, and 

 seemed not wanting in quickness of apprehension. He devoured his 

 food at first like a savage, and had a portentous appetite ; a fowl was 

 but a small portion of a meal for him. He is said to have improved in 

 his style of feeding, and to have been able to use a knife and fork on 

 his return. Few men showed to more advantage in the Feejee 

 costume ; the sala and seavo of the white tapa cloth, set off well his 

 colossal and dark figure. 



Both Tubou and Corodowdow had their suites of slaves, who were 

 a great nuisance to both officers and men ; and had I been aware 

 before engaging them, that we must take their attendants also, I am 

 now inclined to think I should have dispensed with their services 

 altogether. Corodowdow fell in love with a French print of a female 

 that belonged to one of the officers, and was hanging up in the tender's 

 cabin, which he would sit admiring for hours together. 



Tom Granby was sent in the tender to act as a pilot, and Lieu- 

 tenant Underwood went also with a boat's crew. 



Lieutenant Carr reached Lakemba on the morning of the I7th. 

 He was immediately visited by the Reverend Mr. Calvert, the resident 

 missionary, who informed him that it was Lieutenant-Commandant 

 Ringgold's intention to return in a few days. The letter and des- 

 patches were therefore given to Mr. Calvert ; and Tubou and Coro- 

 dowdow, with their attendants, were sent on shore. They were both 

 dressed out in their best attire, and when they made their appearance 

 the natives all prostrated themselves, uttering, at the same time, a 

 low moan. For the kindness shown him, Corodowdow presented Mr. 

 Sinclair with his long bone or hair-pricker, as a mark of his friend- 



