MBUA BAY AND MUTHUATA. 233 
The excursion to the top of the peak proved very interesting to our 
botanists, whose collections were increased by many specimens, among 
which was a young Kaurie pine. The point which was measured, 
was two thousand feet high; another point, which was inaccessible, 
was about three hundred and fifty feet higher, making the highest 
point two thousand three hundred and fifty feet. — 
The party witnessed some natives who were employed in taking 
fish, near the mouth of a small stream, by poisoning the water with the 
stems and leaves of a climbing Glycine, which grows abundantly near 
the coast. 
They had ample evidence of the hostility existing among these 
natives, in the fear exhibited by their guides when occasionally ap- 
proaching huts on their rambles, and they said that they would not 
have dared to venture among the mountaineers except in company 
with the Papalangis. 
In these rambles they occasionally visited the high peaks, and when- 
ever they had a view of the interior, a number of high, volcanic, and 
many of them sharp-pointed peaks, presented themselves to the eye. 
On the 28th, Passed Midshipman Harrison arrived in the schooner 
Kai-viti, with the supply of yams, and my orders to the Peacock to 
join me.at Mbua Bay on the 4th of July. 
The next day was employed in getting ready to sail. Captain 
Hudson had employed his carpenters in getting out the frame of a 
new launch of the iron-wood (Casuarina); but subsequently, at the 
Sandwich Islands, we found that it was ill-adapted for that purpose, 
and it was consequently rejected. 
The king again sent off word that his messengers had returned a 
second time, without any further tidings of the murderers than those 
they had first brought. 
This day, Joseph Baxter, the second mate of the Leonidas, who had 
been badly burnt when firing a cannon on board the Leonidas, was 
brought on board the Peacock. The accident was caused by the 
ignition of a cartridge which he had carelessly put into his bosom. 
Every possible attention was paid to him. 
The natives of the town of Muthuata appeared to be busily engaged 
in making preparations for the great feast. Hogs, yams, taro, and 
turtles, were continually brought into town, and it was said that the 
king of Muthuata had collected a hundred hogs and ten thousand 
yams. In anticipation of the coming feast, all articles were tabooed, 
and none could be purchased. 
The women, both old and young, were daily practising their dan- 
cing and music, and preparing turbans and masi for the chiefs, while 
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