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CHAP. VI.

Finow embarks again with all his army for Vavaoo, and ar rives at Neafoo-Alarm in the night-Presence of mind in one of Finow's men-Plan of attack-Siege commences-An armistice-Accident to Mr. Mariner, which causes the battle to be renewed-Audacity of a Vavaoo warrior-Finow forbids the guns to be used-Sortie of the enemy-Bravery of Chioolooa-Wonderful escape of Latoo Ila-Conduct of the Hapai women-Finow's army returns to Neafoo, and builds a fortress thereAlarm in the night-Revolt of a young chief to the enemy, and the consequences-Slaughter of the enemy by an ambuscade-Sixty bodies offered to the gods-Cannibalism-Supposed treachery of Lioofau-The king returns thanks to his tutelar god-Hints of his priestApprehension and punishment of Mappa Haano-Regulations respecting deserters-Cruelties exercised upon four of the enemy-Desertion of Toobo Boogoo from the enemy-One of Finow's canoes surprised by an attack from Maccapapa at the island of Taoonga-Finow sends out an expedition against Maccapapa's canoes, and takes, ten-Attack on the enemy's field of yams-Mr. Mariner wounded-An attempt to secure the enemy's hogs.

THE day after the return of the expedition, the gods were invoked in the usual way, and the oracular answer was, to proceed immediately

to war against Vavaoo. All things being in readiness, the following morning the king embarked with the whole of his forces, about 5000 men, besides 1000 women, in fifty large canoes, with the four carronades, ammunition, and every thing necessary for a vigorous attack upon the strong fortress of Vavaoo. Towards evening, the fleet arrived at Fonnooi-fooa (one of the small islands in the neighbourhod of Vavȧoo), whence Finow dispatched four canoes, manned with select warriors, up the inlet, towards the fortress, with orders to kill whomsoever they could. They succeeded in killing three men, and severely wounding a fourth, whom, with the three dead bodies, they brought to Finow. Killing these three men, in the first attempt upon the enemy, was by no means to be considered a trifling advantage, for it was supposed to augur the protection of the gods, and great future successes.

Early in the morning, the Hapai fleet proceeded up the inlet to Neafoo (the consecrated spot formerly mentioned), where they landed safely, leaving the women in the canoes. The four carronades were planted opposite the house of a neighbouring marly', ready to be drawn up the following morning to the fortress, which was about three miles off. The day was spent

in settling and arranging sundry matters. During the night, which was exceedingly dark, a considerable degree of alarm was excited by two or three of the enemy, who approached, and threw a spear among a number of Finow's people, asleep near the house; it happened, however, to strike a bundle of spears that was placed upright against a tree, and, throwing it down, occasioned such a noise, that several of the men were awakened by it, who, thinking that the main body of the enemy was coming down upon them, began to run away; at this moment, one of them, more courageous than the rest, snatching up a piece of lighted wood, applied it to the touch-hole of one of the guns, which instantly went off, and produced such an effect on the enemy, that no more was heard of him that night. This certainly was a bold act for a man who had never before fired a gun in his life, and might, in the worst case, have been productive of the best effects, for, if the enemy had come in considerable numbers, as was at the moment falsely imagined, and this man had not had such presence of mind, all Finow's army might have been put completely to the rout, their guns taken from them, and a vast number of them slain: as it was, the report of the gun, awakening all who were yet

asleep, induced such a degree of consternation as is scarcely to be conceived; they ran in all directions, but most of them to the canoes, and it was some time before their fears were sufficiently calmed for them to be induced to return. The man who performed this exploit received much praise and respect for his bravery; as to promotion, it is a thing not known among them, for no man can hold a rank in society which he is not born to (see second volume); and as to other modes of reward,

the merit of a good or brave action is considered its best reward, together with the admiration and respect which it creates, unless the party makes a point to boast of it, and then his merit is set almost at nought.

Early the following morning Finow divided his army into three grand divisions: the right wing was commanded by Toobo Toa, the left by Lioofau, chief of Haano, and the centre by Finow himself: the guns were allotted, two 'to the centre, and one to each flank, and were managed by seven Englishmen, besides Mr. Mariner and a black native of South America, taken by the Port au Prince in one of her prizes. Matters being thus arranged, and Finow having repeated the orders he had formerly issued, viz. that his men should keep

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themselves perfectly steady, and not attack the enemy till they were quite close to them :-the army began its march towards the garrison. After four or five hours interrupted progress, owing chiefly to the weight of the guns and the badness of the road, they arrived before the fortress, on the banks of which a vast number of the enemy were assembled. As they approached, a shower of arrows was discharged upon them; but Finow ordered a mataboole to advance forward and request an armistice, that each party might take leave of what friends and relations they might have among their opponents*; which being granted, a number came out of the garrison to take a farewell of their relatives,-perhaps the last farewell of those who were about to fight against them. Here ensued a moving scene; many tears were shed on both sides, and many

* In a civil war at these islands, as well as at other places, it often happens that sons have to fight against their fathers, and brothers against their brothers; but what renders this circumstance still more common at Tonga, is the adherence to an old established custom, which binds every man in honour to join the cause of that chief on whose island he happens to be at the time the war is declared, unless some circumstance, as particular relationship between great men, engages the chief of the island, upon earnest request, to give him liberty to depart.

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