BOWDITCH 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 Malieloa'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, 



