MBUA BAY AND MUTHUATA. 225 
those already described. The performers were remarkable for the 
regularity with which they moved and kept time to their monotonous 
tune, with their arms, legs, and head. They all joined in the chaunt. 
Paddy Connel, who was instrumental in getting the dances up, was 
urged very much to take part, but he felt it would be lowering himself 
in the eyes of the natives, if he condescended to do so. It was evident, 
however, that he wished to partake, and he at last allowed himself to 
be persuaded to join them, when, taking his club, he flourished it aloft, 
and danced away with all the energy he was possessed of. 
Captain Eagleston, intending to sail at the same time with the Pea- 
cock, fired his biche de mar house in the evening. ‘This is always the 
custom, in order to prevent its being made use of by any other and 
smaller traders. It made a glorious illumination. 
On the 17th of June, the Peacock left the bay of Naloa, in company 
with the Leonidas. On the 18th they had advanced to within a few 
miles of Muthuata, and anchored off the village of Navendarra, where 
the sailor from the “ Who would have thought it!” was murdered and 
eaten by the natives. The circumstances, as related’ to me by Mr. 
Winn, the mate of the Leonidas, who was in charge of the little sloop 
when the accident occurred, were as follows.* 
The man, whose name was Cunningham, volunteered to go on shore 
for some shell, which they understood the natives had for sale, from 
their hailing from the shore. He was allowed by Mr. Winn to go, but 
with the strictest injunctions not to land. On getting to the beach and 
talking for some time, they told him to come again. He came back 
to the vessel, and afterwards went on shore again, when he was 
enticed up to the town, and was there murdered and eaten. Mr. 
Winn, alarmed at his absence, fired guns and made signals, but to no 
purpose. It was afterwards ascertained that Cunningham had been 
employed on board one of the traders, a few years ago, as a sentry 
over the chief Gingi, at whose town he was murdered. This cir- 
cumstance claimed a good deal of our attention, as will subsequently 
appear. 
On the afternoon of the 19th, the Peacock anchored off the town 
of Muthuata. 
Captain Hudson immediately despatched Lieutenant Budd, with 
an interpreter, to visit the king, and invite him and his chiefs to 
come on board the next day. Lieutenant Budd found the people 
much alarmed: the women and children had all been sent out of 
the town, and every thing packed up for removing. The king, how- 
* For statement, see Appendix XI. 
VOL. III. 29 
