12 TONGATABOO. 



and Vavao to their assistance. On his arrival, a long conference 

 ensued, in which the ata expressed himself desirous of treating for 

 peace, and proposed that a conference should take place in his fort. 



To this King George assented, and proceeded to the small Chris- 

 tian fortress in the vicinity of Hihifo, where it is said he was met by 

 a deserter from Hihifo, who told him that the only purpose of in- 

 viting him to a conference there was to assassinate him and his chiefs. 

 This story was said to have been confirmed from other sources, 

 but this additional evidence seemed far from being satisfactory. 

 King George immediately resolved to invest and storm the fortress of 

 Hihifo; and, for the purpose of diminishing the enemy's strength, had 

 recourse to a singular stratagem. He directed all of his men who 

 had any friends or acquaintances in Hihifo, and of these there were 

 many, to advance towards the walls, and each one to call to his 

 relation, friend, or acquaintance, within, and assure him of safety if 

 he would desert! This had the desired effect, and a great many 

 persons, forming a large part of the garrison, jumped over the wall, 

 and joined the besiegers. The remainder, being weakened and dis- 

 heartened, surrendered. Thus the difficulty ended for the present, 

 the rest of the heathen not having yet joined in the affair, although it 

 was said they were fully prepared for hostilities. King George now 

 re-embarked, to return home with his warriors, sailing for Honga 

 Tonga and Honga Hapai, which is the route taken in their voyages 

 when going back to Vavao. 



The following account of the resolution he took there was derived 

 from King George, through Mr. Tucker, and clearly proved to my 

 mind that his object now was to enlarge his dominions, by adding to 

 them the island of Tonga. " Here he reflected upon the subject of 

 his departure, and the defenceless state of King Josiah or Tubou ; and 

 he was so forcibly struck with his danger, and that of the mission- 

 aries, that he resolved to return, and remain at Nukualofa until the 

 heathen were finally subdued." We, in consequence, found him 

 established, building and fortifying a town, and his forces daily 

 arriving from Vavao and Hapai. Indeed his whole conduct did not 

 leave us any room to doubt what his intentions were, and that the 

 missionaries and he were mutually serving each other's cause. I 

 mentioned my suspicions, relative to King George's ambition, to the 

 missionaries, and how likely it would be to prevent any reconciliation 

 or peace with the heathen, and was much surprised and struck with 

 the indifference with which Mr. Rabone spoke of the war. He was 



