UPOLU M ANONO — SAVAII. 105 



instant decision. I also wished to give them time to reflect upon and 

 canvass the regulations just adopted, and perceived that they began to 

 be fatigued with the length of the conference. I therefore proposed that 

 before they gave me a final answer in relation to Opotuno, they should 

 take time for consideration and reflection, for which purpose I suggested 

 that the meeting should be adjourned until the next day, which was 

 accordingly done. 



On the 5th November we again met, when the arguments urged the 

 day before were a second time brought forward, and the necessity of 

 their taking measures that should effectually prevent outrages upon the 

 persons and depredations on the property of white men, strongly set 

 before them. They met these arguments with complaints against the 

 white men who had come to the islands or been left upon them, saying 

 that many of them were bad fellows, and had caused much trouble. I 

 at once told them that if they would bring these turbulent persons to 

 me. I would take them away from the islands, and that the laws they 

 had now assented to, were such as would secure their punishment for 

 any future offences. 



In this state of the proceedings we were favoured with a set speech 

 from the official orator of Malietoa, an old blind chief, who stood up, 

 supporting himself by leaning with both hands upon a long stick. In 

 this attitude he poured forth such a torrent of words as few of us had 

 ever before heard ; and if eloquence be composed of elocution and a 

 ready flow of language, he was fully entitled to the praise of possess- 

 ing it. 



As we learned from the translation of this speech, its object was to 

 urge the necessity of going to war, in order to secure the murderer, 

 Opotuno, for the purpose of delivering him up. This, however, was 

 intended only for effect ; for these, as we well knew, were not the real 

 sentiments entertained by Malietoa. 



This speech was made up of short and distinct sentences, was 

 spoken in a. loud voice, and contained many repetitions. 



However contrary this speech may have been to the cool determi- 

 nation of Malietoa, it seemed to meet the popular feeling; and there is 

 no saying what might have been the consequence, had not the mission- 

 aries contrived to check the outburst. It was now proposed that the 

 fono should receive and publish a document, offering a large reward 

 for the seizure and delivery of Opotuno, dead or alive. This proposition 

 was a new source of excitement, and old Malietoa exclaimed with 

 emphasis, < Give me the paper ! — I will put it upon my house ; where 

 all the world shall see it." 



VOL. II. 14 



