LAKEMBA AND SAVD-SAVU. 197 



swam on shore, assisted by one of the air-mattrasses to buoy him up 

 and carry his clothes ; it was two or three days before he was taken, 

 which was done by surprising him in the village ; he was found sur- 

 rounded by a number of the natives, who had not time to conceal 

 themselves. All the villages, or koros, are very desirous to have a 

 white man living with them, and are anxious to procure one if they can. 



These islands are in sight from Ovolau, from which they are 

 separated by a strait of ten miles in width. Although several miles 

 apart, they are situated within the same reef. There are several 

 openings leading through the reef near Wakaia, on its eastern side, 

 but they cannot be recommended except for small vessels. I passed 

 through one of them, but found it much blocked up with coral knolls. 

 The entrance on the southwest side, leading to Flying-Fish Harbour, 

 is quite narrow. On the west side of Mokungai there is also a small 

 harbour, formed partly by reefs and partly by the little island of 

 Mekundranga. 



Finding, on examination, that there was a reef that had not been 

 surveyed, orders were sent for the tender to return to Levuka, 

 which she did on the following day, and on the next I sent her, with 

 Lieutenant Underwood, to examine the reef off Angau. This reef is 

 called Mumbolithe, and is situated fourteen miles to the south of Lobo 

 Hill, the southeast point of Angau; it is oval in shape, and three- 

 fourths of a mile in length ; the sea breaks on it at all times. 



In returning from this service, when off Nairai, they had a narrow 

 escape from shipwreck, being nearly on the reef, in a dark night, 

 before it was discovered. Any other vessel of the squadron but the 

 Flying-Fish would probably have been lost; but her admirable 

 qualities were well proved in the exploration of this dangerous and 

 unknown group. 



Tui Levuka had prepared an exhibition of the native club-dance, 

 which we went on shore, by invitation, on the 24th, to witness. For 

 this purpose, all the chiefs and people of the neighbouring town, 

 under his authority were called upon to assist, and it required three 

 or four days to complete the arrangements. As the day drew near, 

 the bustle of preparation increased, and, previous to our landing, 

 many people were seen running to and fro, to complete the arrange- 

 ments. We were shown the way to the mbure, the platform or ter- 

 race of which, overlooking the whole scene, was assigned to us. The 

 street, if so I may call it, widened and formed a square at the mbure, 

 both sides being enclosed by stone walls; in front, at about thirty 



vol. in. 50 



