FEJEE ISLANDS. 145 



thrown at them by their pursuers, and at length two of the 

 poor creatures were captured. The canoe, however, soon cap- 

 sized ; and, while the men were employed in righting it, the 

 two women succeeded in making their escape, for their pursuers 

 dared not to follow them very close into the shore, lest they 

 should themselves fall into the hands of the enraged Levukians. 

 It is said that the flesh of women is preferred to that of men ; 

 and that they consider the arms and thighs the choicest parts. 

 This forenoon we received a visit from Tanoa's son, Seruh, 

 and his attendant chiefs. He had the same honors paid him 

 as were shown to his father. He is between twenty-five and 

 thirty years old — has regular features and a good figure. His 

 behavior was proper enough while in our company ; but I am 

 informed by the 'resident whites that he is exceedingly haughty 

 and overbearing towards the natives. He takes advantage of 

 his high position to plunder the lower order of chiefs of their 

 whales' teeth, muskets, knives, or anything else they may have 

 in their possession, which he fancies. Indeed, his eye bespeaks 

 a savage, tyrannical heart. He is the eldest of Tanoa's sons 

 — consequently is the heir to the kingly power. His dress con- 

 sisted of the tapa turban, a large whale's tooth, which hung 

 pendent on his breast, two armlets made of the leaf of pan- 

 danus, resembling light yellow ribbon, and the " Searo," or 

 white tapa, which was wound round his waist four or five 

 times, leaving one end of it trailing on the deck. His hair 

 and beard were jet black, and combed and twisted with great 

 eare. The Fejee chiefs pay great attention to this part of 

 their toilet, and have regular barbers attached to their estab- 

 lishments. Seruh had his prophet, or u Ambati," with him, 

 who appeared to be a shrewd, intelligent man. The whole 

 party seemed delighted with the ship, and made us quite a 

 visitation. 



