160 SOMU-SOMU. 
it becomes necessary to lay a taboo, in order that a famine may not 
be the result of so much waste. 
To give some idea of what the ladies of the missionaries here have 
to endure from such a savage as Tui Illa-illa, he will at times come 
into their house and walk directly into any room he pleases, take up 
any thing he has a fancy to, and endeavour to carry it off. He has 
not unfrequently been found by them before their dressing-cases fixing 
and arranging himself. He carries off spoons, knives, and forks, 
which, on being sent for, are returned. One thing may be said in his 
favour, that he has never attempted any rudeness to the ladies, farther 
than a desire to make use of their dressing-cases. The very sight of 
such a savage, six feet three inches in height, and proportionately stout, 
and the thought of his cannibal appetite, are calculated to intimidate 
persons with stronger nerves than these ladies. How they are enabled 
to endure it, I am at a loss to understand. 
I paid several visits to the old king, and every time with more 
interest. He looks as if he were totally distinct from the scenes of 
horror that are daily taking place around him, and his whole coun- 
tenance has the air and expression of benevolence. The picture of 
him sitting plaiting his sennit, surrounded by his wives and family, all 
engaged in some kind of work, was truly pleasing, and they would 
frequently feed him with the care of love and affection. Such cheer- 
fulness as reigns among them is quite remarkable. He was very 
desirous of making me presents, and among the curiosities I accepted 
‘was a huge head-dress, in shape somewhat like a cocked-hat. It is 
represented in the wood-cut at the end of this chapter. 
I met his son Tui Illa-illa, and having understood that he was the 
cause of his father’s not having come on board, I took care to show 
him that I was not afraid of coming among them, however much they 
feared to trust themselves on board the vessel. He said he understood 
I had a brother of the king of Rewa prisoner, which afforded me an 
opportunity of letting the interpreter give the account of the Vendovi 
transaction, and to say, that although many years might pass over, 
yet any one who committed an act of the kind would be sure to meet 
with punishment sooner or later, and that he himself would be punished 
if any disturbance or harm happened to the whites, particularly the 
missionaries. It seemed to have its effect upon both the old and young 
king, and I took advantage of the moment to make them both promise 
to protect the missionaries and their families against any harm. 
The tender having returned with the boats of the Porpoise from 
surveying the straits opposite Goat Island, we received on board 
Tubou Totai and Corodowdow, together with their suites; and I was 
