314 MALOLO. 



to caution all traders against admitting canoes alongside, unless they 

 have a quantity of provisions and other articles to trade. When 

 hostilely inclined, they invariably have a few provisions, for the 

 purpose of deception ; but those who will take the trouble to examine, 

 will soon discover the truth. When any work on board ship, such 

 as getting under way, &c, is going on, the natives ought never to be 

 suffered to be on deck, but should be kept in their canoes, and away 

 from the vessel's side. Those that have the most experience of these 

 savages invariably trust them the least. 



After establishing bases by sound, we observed on all the remark- 

 able points, and towards sunset anchored in the bay of Ambau. The 

 next morning we got under way, with a light breeze from the west- 

 ward. This wind amounts almost to a land-breeze, and frequently 

 lasts until near noon. With its aid, we passed out of the Moturiki 

 Passage, which has on its southern side the small islands of Leluvia 

 and Thangala, and on its northern, that of Moturiki and its reefs. 

 This passage is clear from obstructions, and is one mile and a half in 

 length by half a mile wide. An east-by-south course (per compass) 

 leads through it, and when Black Peak, on Vitilevu, can be seen, it is 

 a good leading mark. The tide sets with some strength through the 

 passage, the flood running to the westward, or in, and the ebb to the 

 eastward, or out. There is safe anchorage, either under Leluvia or 

 Moturiki, on their west side, in water from seven to twelve fathoms 

 deep ; but a good and safe harbour exists on the Moturiki side, by 

 entering through a narrow channel before reaching Thangala Island. 

 This channel may be known by a large coral rock on the reef. After 

 getting through the reef, there is anchorage in from seven to ten 

 fathoms, with sandy bottom. 



We passed through the Moturiki Passage, and steered for Am- 

 batiki, examining, on our route, the transit bearings, and taking 

 angles on the different peaks, in order to verify the charts. We also 

 passed close to the Horseshoe Reef, off which I obtained chronometer 

 sights and angles ; and made many useful observations on Goro, 

 Nairai, Angau, Arnbatiki, Wakaia, and Ovolau. We thence pro- 

 ceeded to Vuna, which we did not reach until daylight on the 7th, 

 after a tedious sail, contending with light winds and calms under its 

 highlands. 



At Somu-somu w r e found the missionaries under some alarm 

 respecting the prospect of war with Ambau, which had been for some 

 time threatening them, and was now about to commence. The cause 



