Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/231

Rh THE TONGA ISLANDS, ticular request. They brought intelligence that it was not the wish of Toe Oomoo and her chiefs to be at war with Hapai, but that they considered it a duty they owed to themselves to act with strong measures in regard to Finow, whom they esteemed of so treacherous a cha- racter, that a peace with him now would only be the forerunner of disaster and inglorious death to themselves, and on this account, they chose rather to meet their fate in the field, than to live an idle and peaceful life for a short time, and at length be cruelly murdered to satisfy his revenge. — They moreover stated that it was the determination of the Vavaoo warriors to rush out suddenly upon the white men, and take possession of the guns. A few days afterwards, all affairs being set- tled in regard to the management of the planta- tions, the canoes were refitted and launched, and early in the morning the king, and all the forces with him, (about 4000 strong) proceeded to Haano, about three leagues to the north, to join those who, according to orders, were wait- ing for them. At Haano, the king was re- ceived with customary feasting and rejoicing, and on the following day the gods were con- sulted in regard to the expedition. The answer was similar to the admonition formerly given, viz. that the king should first proceed to Va-