LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 175 



of twenty or thirty huts. These were of an oval form, and com- 

 posed of a light frame covered with mats. They contained little 

 else than a few mats spread on the ground, and had but a tem- 

 porary appearance. The natives were civil, and had picked up some 

 phrases in English, in which they soon began to beg for small 

 articles, such as buttons, needles, &c. They sold their fowls and 

 vegetables for tobacco, cloth, and knives. Their stock, however, was 

 not very abundant, and they had no yams. Lieutenant-Commandant 

 Ringgold supplied them with some for planting, and also with Indian 

 corn, potatoes, onions, &c. The native missionary, who is one of the 

 most prominent men among the inhabitants, received directions for 

 planting them, and he promised that they should be well taken care of. 



This island is one of those on which fine timber grows, and is, 

 therefore, resorted to by the Vavao and Friendly Islanders for build- 

 ing canoes. Three of these were seen in the process of construction, 

 under a long shed, one of which, on measurement, was found to be one 

 hundred and two feet long, seven feet wide, and five feet deep, of 

 a beautiful model; the other two were somewhat smaller. The 

 builders said that they were constructing them for a Vavao chief, 

 called Salomon, for the Tonga war. The work was performed under 

 a contract, and the price agreed on was to be paid in whales' teeth, 

 axes, guns, &c. Salomon was at the village, and went off with 

 Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold to the brig, for the purpose of ac- 

 companying him to the other islands. He was a remarkably handsome 

 man, and resembled the Tonga chiefs more than the other Feejees. 



There is another village situated on the southeast side of the island, 

 but it is inaccessible by water except for canoes. Good water, fruit, 

 vegetables, and poultry, can be obtained here ; the natives are friendly, 

 and under the care of a Tongese missionary. The population was 

 one hundred and fifty souls, three-fourths of whom were converts to 

 Christianity. They manufactured native cloth, mats, and other arti- 

 cles of Feejee property in abundance. 



Just before the brig made sail, they were boarded by a large double 

 canoe, in which there were fifteen persons, bringing quantities of 

 fowls and taro for trade. This canoe resembled those which have 

 been described as seen at Tonga, with a platform, and had the im- 

 mense triangular mat-sail. Salomon said that it was capable of 

 containing two hundred persons. 



Assistant-Surgeon Holmes obtained some few botanical specimens, 

 and the other officers many shells. The beach abounded with very 

 good oysters, and many small turtles were seen. 



