BOW DITCH ISLAND. 
29 
after which they were taken to a neighbouring house, which had been 
prepared as their sleeping apartment. 
In the morning, they were awakened early by a little boy, who 
brought them water for washing, which showed an attention to their 
comforts scarcely to have been expected among those who are con¬ 
sidered as only half civilized. 
When they rose in the morning, although but a little after sunrise, 
they found the natives already collected, at morning prayers, in the 
church, under the ministration of Mole; and, after the service was 
finished, they were invited to breakfast with him. 
The return for Malietoa’s hospitality was now to be made, prior to 
their departure; and all they had, consisted of but a few small articles ; 
but these were joyfully received, with many thanks ; and our gentlemen 
took their leave, and returned to the ship. 
Subsequently to this, Mr. Hale made a visit to the village of Mata- 
fayatele, where he was fortunate in being a witness to a little festival, 
called “ faausi.” A procession of about twenty men issued from a 
grove, bearing on their shoulders large wooden trays, shaped like 
shallow troughs. They were all dressed in gala-dresses, having wreaths 
of leaves and flowers about the neck and breast, with plumes of sugar¬ 
cane blossoms in their hair. They marched forward in quick time, to 
a lively song, which they sang in unison, until they reached the fale- 
tele, where a crowd appeared to be expecting them. In the house there 
were thirty or forty elderly men, seated around the sides, while in the 
centre a number of youths were busy in serving to each a mess of food 
from the trays. The chief who was the head of the feast, was recog¬ 
nised by Mr. Hale as having been named Tongipavo on our former 
visit, which name, he was informed, had been exchanged for that 
of Benjamin, since his conversion to Christianity. He gave Mr. Hale 
a seat near him, and ordered a mess of food to be served. It proved 
to be mashed taro, mixed with grated cocoa-nut and soaked in cocoa- 
nut-oil. The whole had been wrapped in banana-leaves and cooked. 
Mr. Hale found it quite palatable, and somewhat like cold mush fried 
in butter. After those present had satisfied their hunger, each wrapped 
up a portion of it in banana-leaves, to carry to his family. The whole 
was a pleasing sight, exhibiting one of the social customs of their 
primitive mode of life. 
The surveying boats having returned, and the ship having reple¬ 
nished her stores of wood and water, and finished the repairs, Captain' 
Hudson prepared for his departure, having determined to proceed to 
Saluafata Harbour. 
As their time of departure had become known, and it drew near, 
C2 
