Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/420

354 354 TRANSACTIONS AT " gods of Bolotoo." Every clay he visited the sick girl, occasionally sat down by her, took her hand and shed tears. During this time the ma- tabooles frequently repaired to the house of the priest, and laying cava before him, consulted him privately. On one of these occasions, Fi- now not being present, he told them that if they knew why the child was sick they would not come thus to invoke him : he then declared, in general terms, that it was for the common good. Know, being informed of this, addressed the priest at the consultation on the following morning, asking him (or rather the god within him) what he meant by the general good ? ** If " my spirits are oppressed, are not those of all " any resentment against us, let the whole " not their vengeance, — but spare my child ; " and I earnestly entreat you, Toobo Totdi, to " that I alone may suffer all the punishment « they desire to inflict." To this the god re- turned no answer, and the priest retiring among the people, the company separated. As soon as Finow anived at his house, his spirits no doubt much agitated, and his pride, in all probability, much hurt, he laid down on his mat, and felt himself much indisposed. His
 * ' my subjects so likewise ? but if the gods have
 * ' weight of vengeance fall on my head : I fear
 * ' exert all your influence with the other gods,