Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/452

386 386 TRANSACTIONS AT guns were drawn up, Mr. Mariner fired two more rounds, then loaded them with canister shot, lighted a match, to be in readiness in case of need, and ordered the guns to follow the procession, whilst hp went last to see that they were properly drawn. It was not the prince's intention to order another salute, but he had previously told Mr. Mariner to load them again, not with blank cartridge but with ■shot, and to carry a lighted match in his haridj for, " perhaps," said he, " we may have need of it." This, it may be easily seen, was a measure of policy ; he ordered them to be fired that he might have a plea for carrying them in the procession along with him, and he ordered them to be loaded a third time, as if they were to be in readiness for another salute at the gi-ave, but in fact for his own safeguard, lest certain .chiefs should take th« opportunity to revolt. Tn the course of two hours they arrived at Felletoa, where the body was laid in a house on the maldi at some distance from the grave, till another and smaller house could be brought close to it* ; and this was done in the course f The body is always placed in a house in front of futoca during the time the grave is digging : if there be nft house near, a small one is immediately bcought for the puiv pose, which, from the construction of their houses, is, read.iljf done by the aid of 50 or 60 men.