M A L O L O. 317 



the chief, through the interpreter, telling them all the mischief they 

 could do, how they could burn the roofs off the yam-houses, so that 

 one could see whether the Feejee men told lies, and how they could 

 be made to follow a man who did not keep his engagements. To all 

 this they listened with great attention, and I wound up by telling 

 them that I wished to purchase three hundred yams, and that if they 

 were not in a heap before the chief's house before ava could be 

 drunk, I would be obliged to send a spirit to look in, for I was well 

 aware they had plenty of yams, and large ones too. As respected 

 the orator, I said that if he did not at once perform his engagement, 

 which he had so importuned me to make with him, I would send a 

 spirit to chase him. It was truly amusing to see this fellow's con- 

 sternation : he flew about from house to house, begging for yams, (for 

 I do not believe he owned one,) until he got his ten ; and these were 

 very fine ones. 



In a short time the whole koro was in a stir, and natives of all sizes 

 and sexes were bringing yams to the heap. The largest in size were 

 carefully placed outside of the heap, and one of these measured four 

 feet six inches long, and seven inches in diameter. When the heap 

 was finished, it was presented to me in due form, with a native drum 

 (toki), which I had desired to have. For all this I sent the chief a 

 musket, the usual price of one thousand yams, and a whale's tooth in 

 token of friendship. 



After the drum had been presented to me, I was desirous of hearing 

 them beat upon it. They have several beats or calls to give notice 

 to the koro, one of which was for the calling of the people together to 

 the feast of human bodies. They were all distinct, and they said quite 

 audible at a great distance. 



The Feejee drum is similar to that described at Tonga, and is 

 made of a log hollowed out and placed on one 

 point. It gives out a deep hollow tone when 

 struck with the small and large stick, with which 

 they produce the different sounds. 



I here had an opportunity of seeing their man- 

 ner of trading among themselves. This is entirely conducted by 

 barter. The market is held on a certain day in the square, where 

 each one deposits in a large heap what goods and wares he may 

 have. Any one may then go and select from it what he wishes, and 

 carry it away to his own heap ; the other then has the privilege of 

 going to the heap of the former and selecting what he considers to be 



vol. in. 80 



FEEJEE DRUM. 



