TONGUESE ATTACKING RITOVA. 247 



sooner suggested than carried into effect, and Maafu 

 became the declared ally of Tui Bua and Bete. 



This new combination could not but excite deep ap- 

 prehensions at Bau, as tending to derange that poli- 

 tical balance which that power deemed it necessary to 

 uphold in order to maintain its supremacy. Maafu, 

 duly informed of the cloud gathering in that quarter, 

 repaired straightway to the capital, and almost suc- 

 ceeded in dispelling it. He made out that he had 

 sent only a few men under the charge of his officer 

 Wai-ni-golo, and he even endeavoured to persuade Ca- 

 kobau to aid him by dispatching canoes to the scene of 

 action, as the whole affair when terminated would add 

 fresh lustre to the supremacy of Bau. Cakobau how- 

 ever contented himself with ordering one canoe to ac- 

 company the expedition, more to watch proceedings 

 and furnish correct reports than to take any active share 

 in the operations. On leaving Bau, Maafu gave out 

 that he was going direct to Bua, to see how his men 

 were getting on, instead of which he proceeded to Lo- 

 molomo for reinforcement. Wai-ni-golo, the Tonguese 

 officer previously sent to Bua, had orders to provoke a 

 direct quarrel with Kitova ; he obeyed them by taking 

 two villages and putting most of the inhabitants to 

 death. By the time this was accomplished Maafu and 

 the reinforcement arrived at Bua, where Tui Bua was 

 taken on board the Tonguese schooner, and the whole 

 party proceeded to the Macuata coast. The combined 

 forces now took town after town, until they reached 

 Nukubati, Ritova's stronghold, which, after consider- 

 able resistance, fell into their hands. Ritova, nothing 



