Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/371

Rh of disappointment, he found himself in a very awkward dilemma. If the natives knew that the captain had refused to take him, it would hurt his reputation greatly in their esteem, as they would look upon him to be a low-born tooa, without friends or consideration in his own country. During this time the men in the canoe were too much occupied in viewing the appearance of the ship, to pay much attention to him. Having at length a little recovered himself by resisting the disagreeable ideas that were crowding in upon his mind, he endeavoured to assume a cheerful countenance; and informed the men that unfortunately the ship was bound to a country as far from his, as his was from Tonga; and although the captain wished him to come on board, he had determined to remain at Vavaoo until some British ship should arrive.—With feelings that almost choked his utterance he now ordered them to return to Ofoo. Every body wondered to see him return: his story however was readily believed; but it seemed strange that he had brought them no presents from on board. "What a number of axes he has got for us," said one ironically: "And what a heap of looking-glasses," said another. "Beads will now become quite common," said a third; "for Togi is going to give necklaces to all the girls in Vavaoo." These jokes were