O V O L A U. 67 



he continued his flight to Sornu-somu, the people of which had been 

 always his friends and supporters. Here he found protection, his 

 defenders being too numerous for his enemies. The conspirators tried, 

 however, to urge upon them the propriety of giving up their king, 

 saying that they only desired he should return and reign over them ; 

 but the people of Somu-somu deemed this too shallow a pretence to be 

 listened to. After Tanoa's expulsion, the rebels installed his brother 

 Komainokarinakula as king. Tanoa remained under the protection 

 of the chief of Somu-somu for three years, in gratitude for which he 

 made over to him all the windward islands, viz. : Lakemba, Naiau, 

 &c. During all this period, Tanoa was carrying on a sort of warfare 

 against the rebels, with the aid of the natives of the eastern group and 

 those of Rewa, who remained faithful to him, encouraging them all in 

 his power, collecting his revenue from the former, which he distri- 

 buted bountifully among his adherents, and buying over others to his 

 interests. 



As Tanoa was about to sail for Lakemba, word was brought to him 

 that his nephew, called Nona, residing on Naiau, a neighbouring 

 island, had been bribed by the chiefs to put him to death. He there- 

 fore, on his way, stopped at Naiau, and when his nephew approached 

 him under the guise of friendship, Tanoa at once caused him, with 

 all his family and adherents, to be seized and put to death. 



Tanoa, finding his strength increasing, concluded to prosecute 

 the war with more activity. In order to do so, after having first 

 collected all his means, he removed to Rewa, where he established 

 himself, and began his secret intrigues to undermine and dissipate his 

 enemies' forces. He was so successful in this, that in a short time he 

 had gained over all their allies, as well as the towns on the main land 

 or large island in the vicinity, and even many of the chiefs at Ambau. 

 The latter object was effected through the influence of his son, Ratu 

 Seru, who had been suffered to remain there during the whole war, 

 although not without frequent attempts being made on his life, which 

 he escaped from, through his unceasing vigilance and that of his 

 adherents. During the latter part of the time, he was constantly in 

 communication with his father, who kept him well supplied with the 

 articles in which the riches of the natives consist : these were liberally 

 distributed among the Lasikaus, or fishermen, and gained the most of 

 this class over to his interests. All things being arranged, on a 

 certain day the signal was given, and most of the allies declared for 

 Tanoa. Whilst the rebel chiefs were in consternation at this unex- 



