Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/344

278 part which this gentleman was appointed to act in the business, two or three no doubt would have been killed, and several wounded, in the attempt. It must be mentioned that Cacahoo, .owing to his diseased appearance, was not present at the cava party after the Jbno (indeed, he was seldom present on any public occasion, except to fight:) it wa^ resolved, therefore, that a young warrior, in company with Mr. Mariner and others, should go and present him with cava at his residence, as soon as the above chiefs were seized. Mr. Mariner was to sit next to him, and was to ask him for his spear J as if to look at it from curiosity ; for this spear "was a remarkably good one, headed with the bones of the tail of the yj/, (sting-ray,) and which he always carried about with him : Mr. Mariner could take this liberty better than any one else, as he was more or less acquainted with him ; and being a foreigner, his curiosity would appear more plausible, and less subject to suspicion : having got it into his hands, he was to throw it aw^iy, and this was to be the signal for the seizure. Before Gacahoo had time to hear of what was going forward at Ma- cave, the appointed party arrived at his house, and presented liim cava. * Mr. Mariner took supporter of f inow's conduct : but as necessity has no lawi
 * Mr. Mariner wg,s not, in many instances, a voluntary