of his sudden return
from the war expedition. It was, therefore, with much concern that the
chief and his men learned that a neighbouring and powerful tribe, with
which they had always been at enmity, were actually on the way to attack
them; and when Bukawanga talked of the needful preparations for defence,
and, pointing to the prisoners, said that they were his countrymen, able
to fight well, and willing to help them, there was a perceptible
improvement in the looks of the party. Finally, Thackombau condescended
to rub noses with them all, and they were ordered off to another hut to
have supper. This latter arrangement was brought about by their
deliverer, who knew that if they remained to sup with the natives they
would be shocked, and, perhaps, roused to some act of desperate
violence, by the horrible sight of portions of the bodies of their poor
comrades, which, he knew, were to be eaten that night. He therefore
sought to divert their thoughts from the subject by sitting down and
relating many anecdotes connected with his own adventurous history,
while they partook of a meal of which they stood much in need.

The dishes, although new to them, were by no means unpalatable. They
consisted of baked pig and yams served on banana leaves, and soup in
cocoa-nut shells. Also a dish made of taro-tops, and filled with a
creamy preparation of cocoa-nut done in an oven. Bread-fruits were also
served, and these tasted so like the crumb of wheaten loaf, that it was
difficult to believe them to be the fruit of a tree. For drink they had
the juice of the young cocoa--a liquid which resembles lemonade, and of
which each nut contains about a tumblerful. There was also offered to
them a beverage named ava, which is intoxicating in its nature, and very
disgusting in its preparation. This, however, Bukawanga advised them
not to touch.

"Now, Mr Bukkie Whangy," said Larry, after having appeased his
appetite, "if I may make so bowld as to ax--how came ye here?"

"The story is short enough and sad enough," replied his new friend.
"The fact is, I came here in a sandal-wood trader's ship; I was so
disgusted with the captain and crew that I ran away from them when they
touched at this island for water. 'Tis eight years ago now, and I have
bin here ever since. I have regretted the step that I took, for the
devilry that goes on here is ten times worse than I ever saw aboard
ship. However, it's too late for regret now."

"Ah! _