FEJKE ISLANDS. 137 



by the hands of man eight or ten feet above the common build- 

 ings. It has a square shape, with a roof running up to a 

 point in the centre, and is profusely ornamented with the white 

 cowry. The sides are made of reeds of a uniform size, bound 

 together, side by side, with senet. In the front, there are 

 two stone-steps, each of which leads to a doorway. The floor 

 is raised about six inches above the ground, and is covered 

 with mats, two and three thick. At one side there is a fire- 

 place, over which is suspended a platform made of reeds. 

 There were also some spears and clubs standing up in one of 

 the corners ; but no images, nor anything that gave the slightest 

 indication of its being a place of worship were to be seen. 

 While we remained here several of the people who inhabit the 

 mountainous parts of the island, came to make presents to 

 Levuka, in proof of their good faith. It was a novel and sin- 

 gular ceremony. Each one, as he entered the Spirit-house, 

 paused, and in a loud and solemn tone pronounced the word 

 " Booree ;" he then advanced to the centre of the building, 

 where he deposited his present, consisting of yams, taro, 

 bananas, ava, pigs, &c, &c. This over, he threw himself on 

 his knees, and bowed to the chief three times ; after which 

 he arose and took his leave. These dissentions between the 

 natives occupying the shores and those who live in the interior, 

 are common to all the islands, and are carried on in the most 

 cowardly and brutal manner. Often in the dead hour of night 

 a band of these savages will pounce upon some unsuspecting 

 family, or hamlet, and make an indiscriminate slaughter of 

 men, women and children. A man and his wife, going to culti- 

 vate their yam-patch, may be surprised by 50 or 100 warriors, 

 carried off, cooked and eaten. A brave, fearless meeting of 

 hostile parties in the open field to decide their disputes by 

 deeds of noble daring never takes place. 



