Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/228

162 "his foe." This last sentence he bellowed forth in a tone and loudness of voice that made every one tremble, for in this particular he was very remarkable ; when powerfully and passion- ately excited, the sound of his voice was like the roaring of a wild beast, and might be heard at an incredible distance. Having finished his speech, several of his warriors ran up to him, striking their clubs furiously on the ground, bidding him not to be afraid of his enemies, for that, comparatively speaking, there were no real warriors in Vavaoo : and that they would stand by him to the very last. The king then addressed them again, describing, in a more particular manner, how they were to proceed in their encounter Mdth the enemy, on the approach of whom they were all to sit down on the ground, and remain per- fectly still, as if unconcerned in what was going forward ; and even though the enemy were to throw spears and discharge arrows, they were nevertheless to remain motionless till they re- ceived orders to rise and rush upon them in a body; this they were to do with ardour and im- petuosity ; and he was quite certain, he said, that such a sudden and bold attack would put them completely to the rout. He then made them practise this manoeuvre several times. Lastly, he spirited them up with thoughts of