Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/238

172 and impolicy of others, and that they should cease to put that confidence in his wisdom and justice which he hoped he had always merited. He then repeated the arguments in favour of his innocence, and, in conclusion, urged a proof of his love and affection for the people of Va- vaoo, by reminding them of the readiness with which he formerly joined their late beloved chief, in the assassination of Toogoo Ahoo, and, by this means, freed Vavaoo and all the Tonga islands of a tyrant ; and of the ardour with which he fought in alliance with that great hero, in the memorable battle of Tonga ; and, although afterwards they (the Vavaoo people) opposed (from a mistaken notion) his progress in the same good cause, yet how happy they had been since their submission to him, and had received from his authority a good and wise chief (Toob6 Nuha), and now that this great man had fallen a sacrifice to the ambition or malice of others, was it on that account that they ought to forego their reliance on the love and affection which he had hitherto so conspi- cuously shewn them ? *' But, as you seem '* luxury, I will go and reside among a more " manly people, and prosecute war against the " island of Tonga." In reply to all this, they again assured him of their love and respect
 * ' disposed," said he, *' to live in idleness and