Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/401

Rh THE TONGA ISLANDS. 336 count from several of the natives of Chichia who visited Tonga. A few days aftei-wards Cow Mooala set sail for Vavaoo, where he arrived safe with about fifty attendants, as formerly noted, consisting of Tonga people, natives of Fiji, and others. As soon as his arrival was made known to Finow, he issued orders to the owners of the different plantations of Vavaoo to bring to the maldi at Neafoo whatever they could afford, as presents to Cow Mooala and his companions *. On this occasion there were wrestling, fight- ing with clubs, cava drinking, &c., as formerly described. It must be remarked, however, that when these great exhibitions of wrestling and fighting are shown on account of the ar- rival of visitors or persons who have been long absent, it is customary for the new comers to be challenged by any one or every one of the island who chooses, so that in the end they are pretty certain of getting a thorough beating. No man, however, is obliged to accept the challenge, nor is it thought dishonourable to refuse it : in short, as they merely beat one another in a friendly way, it is considered a sport for general entertainment, in which any • It is always customary to make presents in this way to any newly arrived party, particularly to persons much re^ spected, as was Cow Mooala, or who have been long absent.