Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/251

Rh It is not at all extraordinary that most of those who had assisted in the assassination of Toobó Nuha should fall victims, in this battle, to the vengeance of the enemy hut it is very extraordinary that one among them, viz. Latoo Ila, (who, as may be remembered, insulted the body of Toobó Nuha, and upbraided him with the murder of his father), should altogether escape without a single wound or hurt worth mentioning; although he, like the rest of the assassins, was the object of the vengeance of twenty men combined against him. This circumstance gave rise to the general opinion that he was defended by the gods. He certainly fought with uncommon bravery, and this was the first time that he had distinguished himself; but it must be kept in recollection, that he was fighting against a party whose late chief had slain his own father.

During this battle several of the Hapai women came to the scene of action, that they might be near their husbands to assist them if wounded. One of them, the wife of Toobó Tóa, (Toobó Aho Méë,) was taken prisoner by the enemy, but extremely well used by them; and about three weeks afterwards she was sent back, from motives of respect, because she was a great egi (chief) of the family of Tooitotiga (vide Rank in society, second volume): had