98 
FROM SYDNEY TO TORRES STRAIT. 
on board, with whose help we hoped to establish friendly relations on our arrival at Api, 
They were soon upon the best of terms with our tars, and formed, in their gay attire, a 
remarkable group on the deck of the “Challenger;” and with this addition to our floating 
population we left the harbour of Ngaloa about noon on the ioth of August. Off the 
western end of Kandavu we stopped to pick up one of our boats which had been on a cruise 
to Bau or Mbau, the principal stronghold of Viti Levu, built on an island near the delta of 
the river Rewa. 
Our progress over the comparatively shallow sea which divides Fiji from the New 
Hebrides was but slow. On the 17th we sighted Tongariki, belonging to the latter group. 
A strong breeze from the east raised a heavy sea, and we hove-to for the night between 
Makura and Two Hills Islands—two of the group of small islands situated south of Api. 
Most of these islands form steep conical hills rising abruptly from the sea. On the following 
day—just one hundred years from the time of the illustrious Cook, who was here in August, 
1774— we stopped opposite a part of the coast, apparently the mouth of a river, pointed 
out to us by the natives on board. The latter, who had been remarkably quiet and 
well-conducted during their voyage in the “ Challenger,” were landed in our boats. On a 
strip of cleared ground between the sea and the woods, one or two dark brown, lean, and 
naked figures, armed with bows and arrows, could be seen cautiously stealing along the water’s 
edge. The ship had been for some hours visible from the island, and probably a large 
number of savages lay concealed behind the trees. Gradually a group of these gathered at 
some distance from the point for which the boats were making, but on recognising their 
countrymen they approached without hesitation ; and whilst the latter were being transferred 
to shore there occurred a lively scene of barter, the natives exchanging their weapons, chiefly 
bows, poisoned arrows, and spears, for such goods as tempted their cupidity. 
The island of Ani. one of the smaller of the New Hebrides, is hilly throughout, and 
attains an elevation of 
about 1500 feet. Its 
name, which signifies 
smoke or fire, seems to 
point to the former 
existence of an active 
volcano. From the 
beach to the summit 
API, NEW HEBRIDES. 
of the highest hills the land appears covered with an impenetrable forest, and from this 
sea of veidure tall solid masses of foliage rise up like the ivy-covered towers of a castle. 
It was indeed 
“ The champain head 
Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides 
With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, 
Access denied; and over-head up-grew 
Insuperable highth of loftiest shade.” 
