The mountain war continues, and Captain Knollys, as generalissimo, is permanently absent; all the other gentlemen come and go incessantly. The new judge, Mr Gorrie, accompanied Sir Arthur on his last trip, just to see something of the mountain tribes before they become civilised, like those of the coast. They returned here on the 3d, bringing Arthur Gordon in the well-earned character of “Conquering Hero,” he having, with a force of 1000 wild men, effectually quelled the disturbance in the district under his charge. Next day the Vuni Valu came here to lunch, and Maafu to dine. Both were anxious to hear all news of the war, but each great chief was happier in the absence of the other. A few days later a very fine body of picked men arrived here from Taviuni and Thakaundrove on their way to the scene of action. They did a war _méké_ on the green in front of the windows, and repeated the odd ceremony of “boasting,” which I have described in previous letters. On the 10th, the Governor, Mr Gordon, and his reinforcement of wild men, sailed in the Fitzroy to rejoin Captain Knollys, and now we are anxiously waiting for her return to take us across to Suva on a visit to Mrs Joski. _July 25._—We waited in vain. Yesterday Mr Wilkinson arrived, having travelled five days and nights in an open canoe, to bring a message from Sir Arthur, who is in the camp at Nasauthoko, to the effect that the Fitzroy is a total wreck. She struck on a coral-reef near the Singatoke river, having mistaken the entrance into a passage. It was midnight, and the land clouded by much smoke from burning the reeds for clearings. Captain Coxe and his crew have arrived in the two boats. All hands safe; but he, poor fellow, is sorely down-hearted at this mischance, and it certainly is a serious loss to the colony. _July 28._—A letter from the Langhams to say the Jubilee will call here to-morrow, and if I like to go in her to Bau, I can join them in a cruise all round Vanua Levu (the Great Land), Taviuni, and other isles. Of course such a chance is not one to be lost, so I am busy getting ready for the expedition. Probably you will not hear from me till my return. * * * * * (Becalmed in mid-ocean—_i.e._, about twenty miles from Taviuni, and the same from Vanua Levu.) _Wednesday, August 2, 1876._