Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/475

 ^IWA AKD MBATT. 441 boiled in an iron pot, similar to those used in boiling the trepang. The broth, or greasy water, was first Handed round in cocoa-nut shells, and required an effort to swallow ; but the pork was excellent, and was served with yams in a very cleanly way on banana- leaves, as at Ngavindi's. The Chief hinted that some rum, which he had been quick enough to notice in the barge among our men's provisions, would be an acceptable addi- tion ; but I discouraged him, saying, that with us rum was reserved for the common people, — an argument which silenced him, although he seemed hardly to believe it." On the following day Thakombau and Ngavindi accompanied Captain Erskine to the " Havannah," lying at Ovalua, twenty-five miles distant. Thakombau enjoyed his visit much. In going over in the barge, he conversed with Mr. Calvert freely about the Captain and officers, asking if they knew what he said. Mr. Calvert told him that they did not know anything of the Fijian language; but that his interruption during the Captain's address on the preceding day, when he made an unseemly remark, had been noticed. When Captain Erskine had pressed him sorely on cannibalism, he said, " You foreign- ers have salt beef to eat when you sail about ; we have no beef, and therefore make use of human flesh." The reference to this in the ship's barge confused him ; and he begged the Missionary would make an apology for the improper remark, and explain that the custom of eating men had been adopted and carried on by their fathers ; but that they, of the present age, knew better, and would renounce it wholly. While the Chiefs were on board, a target was placed on a rock about eight hundred yards from the ship, and was soon knocked to pieces by the guns. The marines were sent on shore with two field- pieces, and a specimen of bushranging was exhibited. Two bomb- shells were sent over the hills, and burst with precision. All this astonished Thakombau, who was much excited, and said : " This makes me tremble. I feel that we are no longer secure. If we offend these people, they would bring their ship to Mbau, where, having found us out with their spy-glasses, they would destroy us and our town at once. Captain Erskine was most desirous to avoid anything that was likely to produce an unfavourable impression on the minds of the Chiefs and people ; and his best exertions were made to impress them with horror of their practices. Having gained the Chief's attention, he again requested him to avoid feeding the Somosomo people with human flesh on their anticipated visit ; and besought him that, at the death of his aged father, which could not be far distant, no one might be strangled. While he consented to the former request, he said that he could not promise the other. A good effect could not fail to be produced by such an officer