LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 201 
are particularly wild-looking. As elsewhere, when asked about the 
people of the interior, they describe them as being ferocious and 
cruel, saying that they go entirely naked, wearing no tapa; are very 
large and strong, eating roots and wild berries. They invariably con- 
nect something marvellous with their accounts; but on closely ques- 
tioning these men, they all agreed that they had never seen one, and, 
from all the inquiries I have made through the missionaries, natives 
and whites, I am satisfied there are very few, if any, inhabitants that 
dwell permanently in the mountains. It is contrary to the usual 
habits of the Feejees, and those of all the groups in the Pacific. The 
climate of the mountains is too cold and wet, and entirely unsuited to 
their tastes and habits; so far from seeking the high lands, they are 
invariably found inhabiting the fruitful valleys, and only in times of 
danger and war resort to neighbouring inaccessible peaks, to protect 
themselves against their more powerful adversaries. Their food is 
almost exclusively produced in the low grounds and along the sea- 
shore, for it consists principally of fish, taro, yams, and cocoa-nuts, 
and the latter, as has been before observed, seldom reach maturity 
even at the altitude of six hundred feet. 
The bay of Savu-savu may be known by a remarkable saddle- 
shaped peak, lying just behind it; there are several other high peaks, 
that show the interior to be very rugged and high. Some of these 
peaks reach the altitude of four thousand feet. 
On the evening of the 4th, Lieutenant Case returned, having finished 
the survey, connecting his work on with Rativa Island. There was no 
harbour found along this shore, expect for very small vessels and boats. 
Lieutenant Alden, in the Flying-Fish, was now directed to proceed 
and examine some reefs on the north side of Vitilevu, that he reported 
having seen from the top of the Annan Islands, and also to examine 
the offing for reefs. He sailed on this duty at ten o’clock at night. 
At daylight on the 5th, the Vincennes got under way to proceed to 
Mbua or Sandalwood Bay, with a moderate and favourable breeze. 
I determined to take the outside passage off Kombelau Point, although 
that usually pursued, which is close to the land, is considered the 
safest. There is a reef off Kombelau Island, five miles in length by 
two in width; and beyond, and between it and the great Passage 
Island Reef, there is a passage supposed to be full of shoals. I had 
reason to believe, however, from the examination of Lieutenant Perry 
and Mr. De Haven, that there would be no difficulty in taking the 
ship through, which I accordingly did. This channel has shoals in it, 
some with but a few feet of water over them, while others have sufli- 
cient for any class of vessels. The least water we had was nine 
VOL. III. 26 
