116 REWA. 
there was a general clapping of hands; but when the lower order of 
chiefs were served, this was not observed, and in lieu of it, there was 
a general exclamation of “Sa madaa,” (it is empty.) After ava the 
king rinses his mouth, lights his cigar or pipe, and lolls on his mat. 
It was laughable to see the king’s barber take his ava; as he is not 
allowed to touch any thing with his hands, it becomes necessary 
that the cup shall be held for him by another person, who also feeds 
him. One of the officers gave him a cigar, which was lighted and 
put in his mouth, and when he wished to remove it, he did it in a very 
ingenious manner by twisting a small twig around it. 
The king made many inquiries, spoke of his riches, his patent rifle, 
and the feast he intended to give; but he wanted a double-barrelled 
gun. He likewise spoke of being desirous of sending his two little 
girls (the only children he has) to the missionary school, but their 
attendants (they have male nurses) were such thieves they would 
steal every thing they could lay their hands on from the missionaries, 
and in this way would give him a great deal of trouble. Captain 
Hudson induced him to promise to build the missionaries comfortable 
houses, as soon as the weather became good and he had received his 
tribute from Kantavu. He spoke kindly of the missionaries, and 
seemed well satisfied that their object was to do himself and his people 
good. The king ordered his household to chaunt a kind of song, for 
the amusement of his guests, the subject of which was the adventures 
of a chief on a voyage, after leaving his wife, and her resolution to 
destroy herself in consequence of his failing to return. 
About nine o’clock the fireworks were exhibited. When the first 
rocket was sent off, the natives exhibited fear and excitement; the 
king seized Captain Hudson by the hand and trembled like a leaf. 
When the rockets burst, and displayed their many stars, they all 
seemed electrified. The effect produced by the blue-lights on the dark 
groups of naked figures, amazed and bewildered as they were, was 
quite striking, particularly as the spectacle was accompanied by the 
uncouth sounds of many conchs, and by the yell of the savages, to 
drive away the spirits they supposed to be let loose and flying in the 
air. Paddy Connel, alias Berry, told them that nothing but the un- 
willingness we had to do them injury prevented us from sending them 
to Ambau, ten miles distant, and he said there was no doubt that they 
believed that it could be done. This exhibition excited the wonder and 
amazement of all the country round, and induced them to believe that 
these flying spirits were collected for the destruction of Rewa, and that 
they themselves would be the next to suffer. 
After the fireworks they all retired, Captain Hudson taking up his 
