238 M B U A BAY AND MUTHUATA. 



in a spot carefully marked, and secured by a large stone, to provide 

 for an anticipated scarcity. 



Having finished wooding and watering, Captain Hudson prepared 

 for his departure for Muthuata. The evening before he sailed, the 

 chiefs and natives gathered on board the Peacock, where, after being 

 remunerated for their labour, they performed several dances similar 

 to those already described. The performers were remarkable for the 

 regularity with which they moved and kept time to their monotonous 

 tune, with their arms, legs, and head. They all joined in the chaunt. 

 Paddy Connel, who was instrumental in getting the dances up, was 

 urged very much to take part, but he felt it would be lowering himself 

 in the eyes of the natives, if he condescended to do so. It was evident, 

 however, that he wished to partake, and he at last allowed himself to 

 be persuaded to join them, when, taking his club, he nourished it 

 aloft, and danced away with all the energy he was possessed of. 



Captain Egleston, intending to sail at the same time with the 

 Peacock, fired his biche de mar house in the evening. This is 

 always the custom, in order to prevent its being made use of by 

 any other and smaller traders. It made a glorious illumination. 



On the 17th of June, the Peacock left the bay of Naloa, in com- 

 pany with the Leonidas. On the 18th, they had advanced to within 

 a few miles of Muthuata, and anchored off the village of Navendarra, 

 where the sailor from the " Who would have thought it !" was mur- 

 dered and eaten by the natives. The circumstances, as related to 

 me by Mr. Winn, the mate of the Leonidas, who was in charge of 

 the little sloop when the accident occurred, were as follows.* 



The man, whose name was Cunningham, volunteered to go on 

 shore for some shell, which they understood the natives had for sale, 

 from their hailing from the shore. He was allowed by Mr. Winn to 

 go, but with the strictest injunctions not to land. On getting to the 

 beach and talking for some time, they told him to come again. He 

 came back to the vessel, and afterwards went on shore again, when 

 he was enticed up to the town, and was there murdered and eaten. 

 Mr. Winn, alarmed at his absence, fired guns and made signals, but 

 to no purpose. It was afterwards ascertained that Cunningham had 

 been employed on board one of the traders, a few years ago, as a 

 sentry over the chief Gingi, at whose town he was murdered. This 



* For statement, see Appendix XI. 



