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 Ritova; 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 
