Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/370

304 of returning to his native country, and the bosom of his friends. In the mean time he very distinctly heard the king say to the mataboole, "but why should I keep him?" and shortly after, his order to a fisherman to get ready instantly a certain canoe, and paddle Mr. Mariner on board, removed from his mind a load of anxiety. He again and again thanked his benefactor; and, taking an affectionate leave of him, got into the canoe, and pushed off from the beach. There were three men to paddle, who after four or five hours hard pulling came up alongside the vessel. He saw upon the deck, Jeremiah Higgins, John Parish, and Hugh Williams. He hailed the ship; when the captain, or the mate, looked over the quarter, and said, "We can't take you, young man: we have more hands than we know what to do with." Mr. Mariner could hardly believe the evidence of his senses;—not take him! when he saw three of his companions already on board. He began to expostulate:—"It is no use your saying any thing, we can't take you," replied the other. He then offered to procure whatever provisions the ship might want, but the unfeeling miscreant turned his back, and gave no answer. Thus, in one minute, from the elevation of hope his soul sunk into despair; what to say,—what to do,—he knew not. Besides suffering the acute pain