UPOLU — MANONO — SAVAII. 



107 



began to be felt, the decree that condemned Aana to solitude was 

 annulled, and the few of its former inhabitants who had escaped 

 slaughter, were permitted to return to their ancient homes. 



The island of Manono, whose inhabitants exerted such an influence 

 in the closing scenes in the war of Aana, is situated within the sea-reef 

 of Upolu. It contains eleven hundred inhabitants, and is the residence 

 of the chief Pea, who must be distinguished from the inferior personage 

 of the same name who resides at Apia. This island is covered with 

 forests throughout its whole extent; its circumference is about four 

 miles ; and it is the station of one of the English missionaries. 



In spite of its small extent and scanty population, Manono is 

 identified with the political history of all the other islands of the group; 

 for, during the reigns of the two Tamafagos, it held supremacy over 

 them. The reason of its acquiring and exercising this political supre- 

 macy, is principally to be ascribed to the possession by its inhabitants 

 of the small island of Apolima, which they used as their " olo" or 

 citadel. To this retreat, inaccessible except at a single point, the 

 inhabitants of Manono were in the habit of retiring when pressed by 

 too powerful an enemy, and when his rage had spent itself, they thence 

 returned to their home with undiminished numbers. 



This natural fortress lies between Manono and Savaii, and sound- 

 ings extend to it both from the shores of Upolu and Savaii. The coral 

 reef attached to it is but small. 





