A GLIMPSE OF TONGAN HISTORY. 299 



general not coming higher than their knees, and in the deepest 

 place not higher than their hips. Thus situated, no alternative 

 was left them but to splash through the water in search of a 

 more fruitful soil. At length they came in sight of the 

 island of Lotooma, and viewing it at a distance with hungry 

 eyes, one of them thought that this small island could not 

 supply more food than would be sufficient for himself at one 

 meal, and resolved therefore wisely, out of pure consideration 

 for his own stomach, to make an end of his companion : this 

 he accomplished by what process tradition does not say. 



When he arrived at Lotooma he was no doubt very hungry,, 

 but at the same time very sleepy ; so resolving to have just 

 forty winks, he made a pillow of Lotooma, and not caring to 

 lie all night in the water (for it was eventide when he decided 

 on his nap), he stretched his legs over to the island of Fortuna, 

 making a sort of bridge from one place to the other. By-and- 

 by he snored to such a degree that both islands, particularly 

 Lotooma, were shaken as if by an earthquake, much to the 

 alarm of the inhabitants. 



The people of the latter island being roused from their 

 slumbers by this unreasonable and extraordinary noise, re- 

 paired to the place where the head of the giant lay, and 

 discovering that he Avas fast asleep, determined on killing him, 

 lest on awaking he might eat them all up. 'Defence, not 

 defiance,' was their maxim. Every man armed himself with 

 an axe, and at a given signal they struck the giant's head at 

 the same moment. Up he started with a tremendous roar, 

 and recovering his feet, stood aloft on the island of Lotooma ; 

 but falling again with his head and body in the sea, and being 

 unable to recover himself, he was drowned, his feet remaining 

 on dry land. As evidence of these facts, the Lotooma people 

 showed our Tongan friend (since dead) two enormous bones, 



