OVOLAU. 55 
protection for ten months. The meeting was a curious one: the old 
chief walked up to him, and stood looking, first on one side and then 
on the other, without noticing him, and pretending that he did not 
see him; Mr. Vanderford then walked up to him, clapped him on 
the back, and called him by name, when they both began laughing 
heartily. Mr. Vanderford spoke much of the kindness of Tanoa to 
him during his residence among the people of Ambau: it is true, that 
he robbed him of every thing but his skin, but then he protected him 
from the attacks of others. Shortly afterwards a large double canoe 
arrived, entirely manned by Tonga people, under their two chiefs, 
Lajika and Tubou Totai, who were both of them, with about five 
hundred of their followers, paying Tanoa a visit at Ambau; they were 
the sons of Tubou Ninha, and nephews of the celebrated Finau. 
Tubou Totai told me that he and his brothers had been residing seve- 
ral years in the Feejees; that they were employed building canoes on 
some of the eastern islands, and that it generally took them seven 
years from the time they left Tonga, to finish them and return. 
Tanoa took up his abode in the mbure, or council-house, which is 
the place where all strangers are entertained. Here he seated himself, 
with his principal attendants about him, when his orator, or prime 
minister, made a complimentary oration, at the end of which a clap- 
ping of hands took place; to this oration one of the principal towns- 
people replied. This is the usual mode of conducting the ceremony: 
the guest, the moment he arrives, gives a condensed account of all his 
doings since they last saw each other, ending with many compliments; 
to which the host replies in equally flattering terms, wishing him all 
kinds of happiness and prosperity. This ceremony being over, Tanoa 
despatched David Whippy on board to inform me of his arrival, when 
I immediately sent Lieutenant Carr to call upon him and inform him 
that my boat would be at the shore in the morning’ for him. Food 
was then brought by the Levukians, according to their native custom: 
it consisted of two large baskets containing each a roasted pig, yams, 
taro, bread-fruit, é&c., which were placed before the company; this 
present was accompanied by another speech, to which the prime 
minister again replied; then came clapping of hands, and the feast 
ended with ava drinking. 
On the following morning, when the boat landed, the three chiefs 
were waiting on the beach, and all came on board, the large canoe 
following the boat; every thing was prepared to give them a most 
marked reception, excepting the salute. Tanoa was the first to mount 
the side of the ship, where I was ready to receive him, with the officers 
at the gangway. When he reached the deck, he was evidently much 
