Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

"now come to humiliate themselves before

66

you; not that they expect you will pardon "them after so obstinate a rebellion, but they "come to endeavour to convince you of their "sorrow for so great and heinous a crime:

66

they have no expectation but to die, there"fore your will be done*." After a short pause, the priest again said, "Pass your sen"tence, Finow:" he then rose up, and retired among the people. In a little time, Finow said to the supplicants, "Toogooá he lo ifi," Take off the ifi leaves (which is a sign of pardon): of which command they took no notice, as if unwilling to believe so great a mercy was shewn to them. Finow again said, "Toogooá "he lo ifi," upon which each took off his if leaves, but they all remained in the same posture. Before we go further, it must be observed, that there were vacant places left among Finow's chiefs and matabooles for Toobó Malohi and his principal followers, who were of sufficient rank, to be called to after they had received their pardon; but for a great chief, circumstanced as was Toobo Malobi, to obey this summons (which is always pronounced by

* This speech of the priest is to be considered more a matter of form than the real sentiments of the suppliants.

the mataboole sitting next to Finow) would neither be so respectful nor so prudent as to remain where he was, and take no notice of it, as if altogether unworthy of being so exalted; whilst a chief of less noble rank would not hesitate to obey the command, and take the seat appointed for him. All this is done upon the principle, that a great chief, so offending, ought to keep himself as humble as possible, lest, having great power and authority, he might be suspected of intentions to equalize himself with his superiors, and ultimately to revolt: whereas minor chiefs, having but little power, are not liable to excite jealousies: besides which, these minor chiefs, being governed by their superior, are thought to be less criminal than he who leads them astray by his authority. This formed a subject of dispute, beforehand, among the company: some thought that Toobó Malohi would instantly obey the order to take his appointed seat, conscious of his exalted rank, and fearless of the jealousy of Finow: the greater part, however, were of opinion, that he would remain where he was, knowing well the revengeful disposition of the How, and his promptitude to sacrifice those whom he suspected. In a little time this matter was put

[ocr errors]

out of dispute. The mataboole on Finow's right hand exclaimed aloud, "Toobo Malohi! “here is a place for you." The chief seemed not to hear the summons, keeping his head bowed down to the earth: the mataboole again said, "Toobó Malóhi! here is a place for "you;" but his ears were still shut, and he preserved the same humble posture. The ma taboole then said to the others successively (mentioning their names in the order of their rank)," here is a place for you;" and they ac'cordingly seated themselves as their names were called over, in the places appointed for them (i. e. those who were of sufficient rank to sit in the circle, the others retiring among the people), leaving Toobo Malohi seated by himself in the middle of the ring. Cava was now prepared, and served out to the company, each in his turn, according to his rank, not excepting Toobo Malohi, who, in this case, was served the fourth: when the cava was presented to him, he neither took it nor raised up his head, but speaking to somebody who sat a little behind him, that person stretched his arms forward, and, receiving it for him, took it away, reserving it for Toobo Malohi, to drink after the cava party should be dis

solved. The company, having finished their cava, dispersed, and Toobo Malohi retired to take his.

This chief and his followers remained at Vavaoo about a fortnight before they sailed to the Hapai islands; during which time he entertained Finow with an account of different transactions at Tonga, relating what conspiracies had been devised, what battles had been fought, what brave chiefs and warriors had fallen. Every time he mentioned the death of a hero, Finow struck his breast with his fist, exclaiming, "What a warrior has fallen in a "useless war!" or something to that purpose.

Before Toobo Malohi and his chiefs took their departure, Finow repeated his orders to Toobo Toa to keep a watchful eye upon them, and to give him the earliest information, if he discovered any symptoms of conspiracy, for he said he expected something of the kind, as they were all choice warriors, and had been well experienced at the Fiji islands,

CHAP. XII,

Finow's younger daughter falls sick-Petitions to the gods -Farther account of the mode of invocation-Finow's illness-Debate among the gods respecting FinowSupposed effect of Finow's illness and recovery on his daughter-His daughter conveyed to the island of Ofoo -Her death-Ceremony of her burial-Strange custom of the people of Hamoa-Finow's illness-Petitions to the gods-Strangulation of a child in the way of sacrifice -Finow's death-Political state of the Tonga islands, occasioned by this event-Grief of Finow's daughterMr. Mariner rebuked by the prince for his grief at Finow's death-Suspicious conduct of Voona-Consultation of the god Toobo Toty'-Report of what had been Finow's intentions previous to his death-The prince consults with his uncle on matters of political government relative to his succession.

SHORTLY after Toobó Malóhi and his followers had departed for the Hapai islands, Finow's younger daughter, named Saw-aw mái Lalangi (which, in the Hamoa language, means descended from the sky), about six or seven years of age, fell sick; on which occasion she was removed from her father's house to another inside a fencing, consecrated to Tali-y-Toobo,

« ForrigeFortsæt »