BAY OF AMPHILA. 
151 
On the 24th, I went on shore to return the visit of Alii 
Croveta ; and on approaching the village of Madir, which con- 
sists of a few miserable huts only, the old man came out to 
meet me, accompanied by the Dola of the place and about twenty 
savages before him, dancing and shaking their spears by way of 
doing me honour, and in the midst of this rabble I was conducted 
to the largest of the huts. After the usual compliments, an in- 
terval of silence ensued, during which Alii Goveta dropped 
asleep, and the Dola busied himself in sewing up a new garment, 
while the natives of the place, gaping with astonishment, crowded 
into catch a sight of us. I remained a short time amused with 
the singularity of the scene, which was as complete a burlesque 
on court-ceremony as can well be conceived ; and on departing 
was presented with a bullock, as a present from the chief. The 
next day, being Christmas day, we dressed out the ship with all 
the flagswe could muster, feasted on roast beef and plum-pudding, 
and drank a bumper to the health of all our friends in England. 
Thursday 28th. — ^For the purpose of more conveniently receiv- 
ing visitors, I pitched two tents on an island, which we called 
Marian, from that ship having been the first to enter the harbour. 
In the course of the ensuing fortnight we had constant inter- 
course with the shore, during which period the Dola and others 
annoyed us by their frequent attempts to obtain fresh presents. 
Alii Goveta also began to express much anxiety for the return of 
Alii Man da, and in this anxiety I very feelingly participated, as 
during the whole of this time I was under the necessity of provid- 
ing for the party which had come down from Arena, the resources 
of Madir being scarcely equal to its own supply. 
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