MALOLO. 315 



of hostilities appeared, according to the missionaries, to have been a 

 difficulty that had occurred between Somu-somu and the town of 

 Buia, on the south side of Vuna. 



Several months previously, some canoes belonging to Vuna, when 

 in distress, took refuge in the dominions of Ambau, and received kind 

 treatment ; for the people of Ambau, instead of putting them to death, 

 or making them slaves, afforded them the means of returning to their 

 own country. The Vuna people, after their return, proposed to give 

 the Ambau chiefs and people a feast, which, becoming known to 

 Tui Thakau, king of Somu-somu, he became offended, and argued, 

 that if they were rich enough to give feasts, they might pay more 

 tribute, which he at once called upon them to do. This they consi- 

 dered as very arbitrary, and contrary to their usages. They therefore 

 refused to pay, having first applied to Ambau for protection, which 

 was readily promised them, agreeably to the wily policy of Ambau, 

 which is always to protect the weak, and produce strife in the diffe- 

 rent districts, that they themselves may finally profit by the conten- 

 tion. This prospect of war prevented the Somu-somu chiefs and 

 people from uniting in the festivities of the king of Muthuata ; and, 

 instead of accepting the invitation, they were obliged to request the 

 alliance of the king, through his son Ko-Mbiti, who, it will be recol- 

 lected, had returned to Muthuata after the Peacock's arrival. The old 

 king of Muthuata, although very friendly to Somu-somu, yet feared the 

 displeasure of Ambau, with which he already had a misunderstanding, 

 in relation to the young wife of old Tanoa. He, therefore, refused to 

 become the ally of Somu-somu, but offered his mediation between the 

 parties. This did not settle the affair, as will be seen in the sequel. 



The difficulty was brought to a state of open war by the capture of 

 a small fishing-canoe belonging to Ambau, by the Somu-somu people, 

 who killed the natives that were in it. Their bodies were afterwards 

 eaten by the chiefs and people of Somu-somu, with much exultation 

 and rejoicing, at a feast where the captors of the canoe were painted 

 and smeared with turmeric, and dances and ava drinking concluded 

 the festivity. 



Messrs. Hunt and Lythe, with their ladies, were very glad to see 

 us, for they were in much trouble, as the fact of their residing at 

 Somu-somu would subject them to be treated as though they were 

 actively engaged in the war; for all strangers residing within the 

 limits of the koro, are in time of war considered as enemies, so far as 

 being subject to plunder. 



