296 MALOLO. 
which a man of the name of Hunter, who had gone below, and was 
armed only with a hammer, had a scuffle with Fimowlangi, which was 
ended by the latter being shot, through the skylight, by one of the men 
who had regained the deck. 
The vessel being thus recovered and under way, went on to Levuka, 
where she arrived the next day. During the passage, the bodies of the 
chief and of another native who was found wounded in the forecastle, 
were thrown overboard. 
It is supposed that this transaction was not the result of a concerted 
plot, but was conceived on the instant; for many of the natives appear 
to have been as much surprised as the crew. Had this not been the 
case, it is unlikely that the vessel could have been recaptured. 
At Levuka, Captain Eagleston of the American brig Howard, finding 
that there was no officer left to navigate the brig, put her in charge 
of Mr. London, and sent her to Sydney, to the agent or owner, Mr. 
Neill, of that place. We mention, with regret, that Captain Eagleston 
has never received the slightest acknowledgment for this important 
service. 
Vessels that visit Ambau are liable to many exactions, and to have 
all kinds of difficulties thrown in their way. It may be as well here to 
caution all traders against admitting canoes alongside, unless they have 
a quantity of provisions and other articles to trade. When hostilely 
inclined, they invariably have a few provisions, for the purpose of de- 
ception; but those who will take the trouble to examine, will soon dis- 
cover the truth, When any work on board ship, such as getting under 
way, &c., is going on, the natives ought never to be suffered to be on 
deck, but should be kept in their canoes, and away from the vessel’s 
side. Those that have the most experience of these savages invariably 
trust them the least. 
After establishing bases by sound, we observed on all the remarkable 
points, and towards sunset anchored in the bay of Ambau. The next 
morning we got under way, with a light breeze from the westward. 
This wind amounts almost to a land-breeze, and frequently lasts until 
near noon. With its aid, we passed out of the Moturiki Passage, 
which has on its southern side the small islands of Leluvia and Than- 
gala, and on its northern, that of Moturiki and its reefs. This passage 
is clear from obstructions, and is one mile and a half in length by half 
a mile wide. An east-by-south course (per compass) leads through it, 
and when Black Peak, on Vitilevu, can be seen, it is a good leading 
mark. The tide sets with some strength through the passage, the flood 
running to the westward, or in, and the ebb to the eastward, or out. 
There is safe anchorage, either under Leluvia or Moturiki, on their 
