68 T U T U I L A. 



minute they were apparently appeased, and pleasant looks were 

 restored. 



They handed round a shell containing cocoanut-oil to dip the 

 bread-fruit in, and another containing salt water. After we had eaten, 

 they began a careful examination of my clothes, and appeared much 

 pleased with the buttons. My pocket-handkerchief was taken out of 

 my pocket, and spread on the mat to be examined by the king. His 

 brother took off my hat and put it on the top of his large bushy head. 

 They then had ava made, of which I could not partake, after seeing 

 the process of making it. It is first chewed by the women and thrown 

 into a large bowl ; water is added to it, and it is then strained through 

 leaves. This was partaken of by them all, while they gave me a 

 fresh cocoa-nut. 



They were becoming more familiar every moment, and it was 

 getting late, so I thought it time to make a move. I therefore rose up, 

 and was followed by the natives, in number upwards of a hundred, 

 including the king and his brother, to the boat. I looked carefully 

 around for arms, but saw none among them. My boat was aground : 

 the king, his brother, and several others, got into it, saying they must 

 have some presents. They seemed disposed to resist, and showed a 

 determination to contest our getting oft'. I on the other hand was 

 determined to get rid of them, and peaceably if I could ; I therefore 

 ordered the boat's crew to arm themselves, and drive every one of the 

 natives from the boat, at the same time intimating to the king to use 

 his authority, which I found, however, existed only in name. We thus 

 succeeded in getting clear of the crowd, until we had no more than 

 eight left ; to each of these I presented a small fish-hook, and ordered 

 them to get into the water, which was about a foot deep, and go ; this 

 they did, one by one. At last came the king and his brother's turn, to 

 whom I presented, with great ceremony, first a small and then a large 

 fish-hook ; after which they left me, apparently in great good humour. 

 I was heartily glad to be rid of such rapacious troublesome fellows so 

 easily and without a fight. We then pushed our boat off*. When just 

 beyond the reef, in taking up our anchor, the boat had the appearance 

 of returning again on shore. On seeing this, a great shout was set up 

 by the natives, and one of them immediately advanced with my 

 powder-flask. He said it had been taken by a boy out of the boat, and 

 had been dropped into the water, to be picked up after we had shoved 

 off. I gave the man a small present for his apparent honesty ; but I 

 am inclined to believe it was the fear of detection, and the belief that 

 we had missed the article, and were returning for it, that induced them 



