Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/91

Rh God, for the heinous sacrilege committed by them.— Mariner told her, that if she were in England she would stand a chance of being punished for a witch: the observation produced a laugh, accompanied by a pretty smart box on the ears. So great a favour, from so fair a hand, could not but be received in good part; he accordingly took the first opportunity of going on board and bringing her a cheese, as a present (the scarcity of the article rendering it valuable at this place). She, who would not be behind-hand in generosity, taking a pair of gold buckles from her shoes, gave them to him, but not without reminding him that he would never again see home; and that the buckles, which she presented merely as an acknowledgment, would not long be of service to him. He little thought at this time that her prediction was destined to be for the most part fulfilled, and that by mere hair-breadth escapes, his good fortune, after a lapse of years, would bring him through unforeseen difficulties and dangers, home to his native country, though never to the sight of his mother, who died during his absence, leaving his father to reflect on the uncertain fate of a son, whom he could scarcely hope to see again.