Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/232

166 vaoo with three canoes only, with such men as had few or no relations at Vavaoo (lest they shoiild be tempted to desert), but above all with such also as had not been instrumental in the assassination of Toobo Nuha, nor had been for- merly his adherents, lest their presence might excite still farther the anger of the Vavaoo people; and, thus accompanied, should offer terms of peace in the most friendly manner. Finow, having by this time had sufficient op- portunity to reflect coolly and deliberately, and therefore more wisely, upon th^s business, en- tered readily into the measure. Three canoes were got ready, and Finow, with some of the choicest fighting men, of such description as the oracle approved of, went on board : Mr. Mariner was in the king's canoe, and two other Englishmen were on board one of the others, and they proceeded towards Vavaoo. As they approached the shores of this island they came up with several canoes belonging to it, endeavouring to make their escape, for they fancied these were only, the head canoes of a large fleet drawing near to make an attack upon Vavaoo. The king, however, informed them that he was not coming with warlike intentions, but that his object was peace, and he was paying them a visit for the sole purpose of adjusting matters amicably ; he then dis-