"Rokoa, on hearing the conversation above mentioned, had given me a significant glance, which sufficiently explained to me how he understood it. A very few moments sufficed to confirm my worst suspicions: I learned that the aged female who had spoken of herself as Malola, was Mowno's aunt and that she was, with her own full consent and approval, to be destroyed in a few days. From the manner in which Olla alluded to it, while I inferred that such acts were by no means uncommon among these people, I at the same time clearly perceived, that custom and education had not stifled or perverted in her gentle nature, at least, the ordinary feelings and impulses of humanity, and that she anticipated the deed with terror and loathing. I determined to watch for an opportunity to converse with Mowno, and discover, if possible, whether the cruel insensibility, implied in countenancing such a practice, could really be concealed beneath so smooth and pleasant an aspect. "Meanwhile, the meal, to which we had been summoned, was spread under the shade trees beside the house. It consisted of baked fish, served up in banana leaves, roasted yams, poe-poe, a preparation of bread-fruit, and an excellent kind of pudding, made of cocoa-nut-pulp and taro. It was easy to perceive that Olla, with all her playfulness and girlish vivacity, was a notable housekeeper." "Let me interrupt you a moment, to ask a single question," said Max. "Did you get the recipe for making that pudding from Mrs Mowno?--if so, please impart the same for the general good, and I will try my hand at it the first convenient opportunity." "Heathen!" exclaimed Browne, "can you think of nothing but gormandising? Pray, Arthur, proceed." "And bring on those cannibals forthwith," added Morton, "for unless you do so, Johnny will despair entirely of any fighting, and go to sleep." CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. AN EXPLOSION. THE CANNIBALS APPRECIATE MUSIC AND ELOQUENCE, BUT TAKE OFFENCE AT THE NEW THEOLOGY. "Then tumult rose, fierce rage, and wild affright."