Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/343

Rh THE TONGA ISLANDS. 277 that this cattempt might fail, or that the Vavaoo people, in consequence, might again rise up -against him, had previously sent a canoe to the Hapai islands, with orders to Toobo Toa that he and his chiefs should hold themselves in readiness to repair to his assistance at a mo- ment's notice. There proved, however, to be no necessity for their intervention, the conspi- racy succeeding in a degree equal to his ex- pectation. Some difficulty, however, was found in securing Cacahoo, a very great and brave warrior and mataboole, amazingly courageous and strong, although he was highly diseased with scrofula ; and, like most great warriors, was always (according to the Fiji practice) upon his guard against treachery. They had therefore recourse to stratagem on this occa- sion : Mr. Mariner's services were required as the means, for he was present at the consulta- tion of Finow and his chiefs upon the subject, and he consented, being informed that the king s intentions were merely to confine him as a prisoner till some parts of his conduct were examined into ; and had it not been for the entered into any plan of conspiracy, but most persons sus- pected that they had held discourses upon the subject 3 and it was generally acknowledged that if a revolt were to take place, these would be the men likely to head it. Such is the summary way of managing matters in this state of society.