66 OVOLAU. 
the fence, but they could not be induced to follow it, or observe any 
regularity, each individual making his allotted part according to his 
own fancy; these separate portions were afterwards joined together, 
forming a zigzag work. The parts of the enclosure were tied together 
by a species of Dolichos, crossed, braced, and wattled like basket- 
work, the whole making a tight fence, which answered the purpose 
well enough. 
The digging of the ground was performed with a long pointed pole, 
which they thrust into the ground with both hands, and by swinging 
on the upper end, they contrived to raise up large pieces of the soil, 
which was quite hard. After this, two sailors with spades smoothed 
it. The centre of the garden had been a repository for their dead, 
where many stones had once been placed, which had become scat- 
tered. ‘These the natives were told to throw ina pile in the centre. 
They went on digging for some time, probably without an idea that 
any one had been buried there, but as they approached the pile they 
simultaneously came to a stop, and began to murmur among them- 
selves, using the words mate mate. No inducement could persuade 
them to proceed, until it was explained to them by David Whippy, 
that there was no desire to dig in the direction of the grave, which 
was to be left sacred. With this intimation they seemed well satis- 
fied, and went on digging merrily. A large quantity of seeds, of 
various kinds of vegetables and fruits, were planted. For the fencing 
and digging of the garden I gave, by agreement, a trade musket, and 
I believe this included the purchase of the ground ! 
The day after Tanoa’s visit, I received from him a royal present of 
ten hogs, a quantity of yams, taro, fruit, &c. 
Our stay at Ovolau continued for six weeks. Among the incidents 
which occurred during this time were the following. 
On the 17th May, David Bateman died. He had been a marine on 
board the Porpoise, and had been transferred to the Vincennes at 
Tonga. A post mortem examination showed that the right lung was 
almost wholly destroyed by disease, and there was about a pint of 
purulent matter in the pleura. 
On the 19th, Seru, the son of Tanoa, arrived from Ambau, for the 
purpose of visiting me. I immediately sent him and his suite an 
invitation to meet me at the observatory on the following day, with 
which he complied. Seru is extremely good-looking, being tall, well 
made, and athletic. He exhibits much intelligence both in his expres- 
sion of countenance and manners. His features and figure resemble 
those of a European, and he is graceful and easy in his carriage. 
The instruments at the observatory excited his wonder and curiosity. 
