Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/234

168 might think of him, that was the object which was nearest his heart. No sooner did the Va- vaoo warrior hear this unexpected declaration, than he pulled off his turban, and taking a piece of cava root, went on board Finow's ca- noe, and, having presented the cava to the king, he kissed his feet as a mark of respect. The king then dismissed him, desiring him to relate to -his chiefs the object of his coming, and that he should the same evening, if they would permit him, pass on to Neafoo *, to leave cava there, and the following morning proceed to the fortress, to adjust terms of peace. As soon as the warrior departed with his message, Finow directed his course up an inlet to Nea- foo, where he arrived and landed without any opposition, and, having left cava with the usual ceremony (see p. 89), he returned on board, and passed the night in another brancli of the inlet leading up to the fortress ; towards which, early the following morning, he proceeded with the three canoes. At first, he intended to land in person, and ascend the hill to address the garrison ; but from this he was dissuaded by his chiefs : he then determined to go near to ♦ Neafoo is situated on the N. E. shore of Vavaoo, and is a consecrated place, like Mafanga, formerly described, where the ceremony of Tooge was performed. At Neafoo are se- veral houses consecrated to different gods.