240 MBUA BAY AND MUTHUATA. 



seemed uneasy and fearful, when they first came on hoard ; but, on 

 being kindly treated and shown around, they soon regained their 

 self-possession. They were feasted and received some presents, and 

 left the ship apparently well pleased with their visit. When they 

 reached the shore, the officers who were there as hostages returned. 



Lieutenant Emmons reached the Peacock on his return from the 

 examination of the Asaua Group. As I shall shortly have to speak 

 of the second examination of this group, I will postpone the subject 

 till then ; but I feel it my duty to speak of the satisfactory manner 

 in which this officer had performed his duty, and the energy and 

 strictness with which both himself and his assistant, Passed Mid- 

 shipman Blunt, carried out the service they were charged with. 



On the 22d, the Leonidas went to Malitu, twenty-five miles to the 

 eastward, where the chief Gingi was erecting a biche de mar house 

 for Captain Egleston. The same day two divisions of boats, the one 

 under Lieutenant Walker and Midshipman Blair, the other under 

 Lieutenant Budd, Passed Midshipman Reynolds, and Midshipman 

 Hudson, started on surveying duty, the one to the eastward, the other 

 westward from Kie Island, off Muthuata, on the north side of Vanua- 

 levu. 



On the same day the old king of Muthuata sent off to Captain 

 Hudson a present of eight turtles as a propitiation. Communication 

 was now had with the town of Muthuata. It consists of about one 

 hundred houses built closely together, and is situated in an open 

 valley close to high-water mark. It is very much exposed and quite 

 defenceless; has but few trees about it, but is one of the best 

 built towns in the Feejees. The style of building resembles that 

 of Rewa. 



The king's name is Ndrandranda ; his title, Tui Muthuata. He is 

 old and quite infirm, the result of an attack of elephantiasis in one 

 of his legs, which renders it difficult for him to walk. His expression 

 of countenance is mild. As is usual, he is surrounded by his wives. 

 The head one of these, whose title is " Yandi Muthuata," is one of 

 the largest women, if not the very largest, in the Feejees. She is 

 upwards of six feet high, very stout, and seems to understand her 

 own dignity. 



The second wife, called Henrietta, was a native of Rotuma, and 

 spoke a little English. She had, while at her native island, been 

 married to a Tahitian, who was residing there, and had gone with 



