Preparations were now making for a grand feast. The king sent people out in all directions to collect and cook yams, tarrow and all kinds of vegetables, also pigs, fowl, etc. The natives brought provisions from all parts of the island and deposited them on one side of a square before the king's house and retired to the other side to await the performance which was about to take place by visitors from the Friendly and Navigator Islands. They collected provisions enough for two or three thousand people, and when several thousand spectators had assembled, the king, with me by his side, was seated on an eminence built of stone on one side of the square. After all was arranged the actors made their appearances in two parties and took their stations in the square about twenty-five or thirty feet apart. One of them then stepped out into the open square and, brandishing a coconut stalk in his hand, challenged anyone to come out and fight him. His challenge was promptly accepted by a young native from the same party and a smart fencing match ensued. At last one gave up and the conqueror was greeted with shouts of applause by the spectators. Two others then took their places and so the sport went on. After one party had their turn the other came on and fought with their fists muffled with tappah, which seemed to delight the spectators quite as much as the club fight. They frequently shouted Wooa venaka! Suka venaka! (Very well done. Thank you, sirs!) After about two hours of this exercise one of them used some unfair play, which so enraged all parties that they flew to their clubs and spears, and I expected to see something besides a sham fight; but the king jumped from his throne, rushed into the midst of them and quelled the disturbance. They then seated themselves and the provisions were shared amongst them. After feasting they left us, some badly bruised and many with broken limbs.