218 MBUA BAY AND MUTIIUATA. 



Beyond the immediate coast, the land rises in mountain ranges, 

 between four and five thousand feet high. 



The islands to the west — the Asaua Group, with Malolo, Vomo, 

 and the adjacent low coral islands — are all in sight, with their laby- 

 rinth of reefs ; whilst the numerous towns of Vitilevu, perched on 

 their eyrie cliffs, continued to meet the eye, showing very conclu- 

 sively that the savage character of the natives had rather increased 

 than diminished. 



Towards sunset the vessel ran upon a coral lump, which gave her 

 a considerable jar; but, on getting out a kedge, they very soon hauled 

 off, when Captain Hudson anchored for the night. He describes the 

 channel through which he was compelled to beat as being tortuous. 

 There are many sand-banks on the reefs, and small patches of rock, 

 but it is easy to avoid them. The sunken knoll of coral on which 

 they struck had about twelve feet of water on it, and was of small 

 dimensions : the bow and stern of the ship were, one in thirteen the 

 other in ten fathoms, while she hung amidships. 



In the evening, partly as a signal for the absent boats, that were 

 appointed to meet the ship here, and partly for effect on the natives, 

 they fired an evening gun, burnt a blue-light, and set off three rockets, 

 or as the natives term them, "fiery spirits." These brought forth 

 many shouts from the land, which were audibly heard on board, 

 although the vessel was at a great distance from the shore. These 

 signals were soon answered by a rocket from the boats, which joined 

 the ship early the next morning. 



Lieutenant Emmons, his officers and boats' crews, were all well. 

 No accident had occurred to them, and he reported that he had 

 finished his work. After leaving the ship at Rewa, he passed outside 

 the reef for several miles, until he came to a narrow and deep passage 

 through the reef, which led to a spacious harbour, on which lies the 

 village of Suva. The natives of this village told Mr. Emmons's inter- 

 preter, that they were subjects of the king of Rewa, and that they 

 had lately become Christians. This is the village where the Reverend 

 Mr. Cargill had been the Sunday preceding, and its inhabitants were 

 the first proselytes he had. 



Suva Harbour was surveyed and found to be an excellent one, free 

 from shoals, well sheltered, and with good holding-ground, easy of 

 ingress and egress, with an abundance of wood and water. It lies 

 ten miles west of Rewa Roads. 



During their stay there, they had some heavy squalls, accompanied 



