SOMU-SOMU. 155 
Mr. Hunt said, was done with the most perfect insensibility. He 
could not perceive the least sign of revenge on the part of those who 
ate them, and only one body was given to the injured party. Some of 
those who joined in the feast acknowledged that the people of Lau- 
thala were their relations, and he fully believes that they cooked and 
ate them, because they were commanded to do so. The coolness, Mr. 
Hunt further remarked, with which all this was done, proved to him 
that there was a total want of feeling and natural affection among 
them. 
After all the parts but the head had been consumed, and the feast 
was ended, the king’s son knocked at the missionaries’ door, (which 
was opened by Mr. Hunt,) and demanded why their windows were 
closed? Mr. Hunt told him to keep out the sight as well as the smell 
of the bodies that were cooking. The savage instantly rejoined, in 
the presence of the missionaries’ wives, that if it happened again, he 
would knock them in the head and eat them. 
The missionaries were of opinion, that after these feasts, the chiefs 
become more ferocious, and are often very troublesome. In the pre- 
sent case, they attempted to bring accusations against the missionaries, 
that they might have a pretext for plundering them, but the only fault 
they could find to complain of was, that they did not receive presents. 
The missionaries’ conduct was firm and decided, telling them if they 
desired the property, they must take it by force. This the natives 
seemed afraid to do, and after they were fully convinced they could 
not intimidate them, showed a desire to become friends. The mission- 
aries then took them a present, which they were glad to accept, and 
gave one in return, as a make-peace, since which time they have lived 
in peace. 
I know of no situation so trying as this for ladies to live in, par- 
ticularly when pleasing and well-informed, as we found those at 
Somu-somu. 
The missionaries have made but slow advancement in their work, 
and there is but little to be expected as long as the people remain under 
their present chiefs, for they dare not do any thing but what, they 
allow them. All the chiefs seemed to look upon Christianity as a 
change in which they had much to lose and little to gain. The old 
chiefs, in particular, would often remark, that they were too old to 
change their present for new gods, or to abandon what they considered 
their duty to their people ; yet the chiefs generally desire the residence 
of missionaries among them. I was, therefore, anxious to know why 
they entertained such a wish, when they had no desire for their instruc- 
tion. They acknowledged that it was to get presents, and because it 
