SOMU-SOMU. 169 



occurrences it becomes necessary to lay a taboo, in order tbat a famine 

 may not be the result of so much waste. 



To give some idea of what the ladies of the missionaries here have 

 to endure from such a savage as Tui Illa-illa, he will at times come 

 into their house and walk directly into any room he pleases, take up 

 any thing he has a fancy to, and endeavour to carry it off. He has 

 not unfrequently been found by them before their dressing-cases 

 fixing and arranging himself. He carries off spoons, knives, and 

 forks, which, on being sent for, are returned. One thing may be 

 said in his favour, that he has never attempted any rudeness to the 

 ladies, farther than a desire to make use of their dressing-cases. The 

 very sight of such a savage, six feet three inches in height, and pro- 

 portionately stout, and the thought of his cannibal appetite, are cal- 

 culated to intimidate persons with stronger nerves than these ladies. 

 How they are enabled to endure it, I am at a loss to understand. 



I paid several visits to the old king, and every time with more 

 interest. He looks as if he were totally distinct from the scenes of 

 horror that are daily taking place around him, and his whole coun- 

 tenance has the air and expression of benevolence. The picture of 

 him sitting plaiting his sennit, surrounded by his wives and family, 

 all engaged in some kind of work, was truly pleasing, and they would 

 frequently feed him with the care of love and affection. Such cheer- 

 fulness as reigns among them is quite remarkable. He was very 

 desirous of making me presents, and among the curiosities I accepted 

 was a huge head-dress, in shape somewhat like a cocked-hat. It is 

 represented in the wood-cut at the end of this chapter. 



I met his son Tui Illa-illa, and having understood that he was the 

 cause of his father's not having come on board, I took care to show 

 him that I was not afraid of coming among them, however much 

 they feared to trust themselves on board the vessel. He said he 

 understood I had a brother of the king of Rewa prisoner, which 

 afforded me an opportunity of letting the interpreter give the account 

 of the Vendovi transaction, and to say, that although many years 

 might pass over, yet any one who committed an act of the kind 

 would be sure to meet with punishment sooner or later, and that 

 he himself would be punished if any disturbance or harm happened 

 to the whites, particularly the missionaries. It seemed to have its 

 effect upon both the old and young king, and I took advantage 

 of the moment to make them both promise to protect the missionaries 

 and their families against any harm. 



vol. in. 43 



