10 TONGATABOO. 
should appoint ten chiefs, to meet under my direction and protection, 
in order to arrange all the difficulties between them; that these should 
meet on neutral ground, on the island of Pangai-Moutu, about half- 
way between the heathen fortress of Moa and Nukualofa. I also 
offered to send officers or go myself to the heathen fortress, to make a 
similar request of them. With all this they appeared pleased, but in 
answer to it King George simply asked, “ Will they ever return?’ 
After a little conversation, they assented to my propositions. J then 
took the occasion to rebuke them mildly for allowing their followers to 
assemble in their war-dresses, and with so many warlike preparations 
on such an occasion, telling them that I thought it indicated any thing 
but the peaceful disposition, in the belief of the existence of which J 
had called the meeting. The affair concluded by their leaving the. 
whole matter to my discretion, and with an assurance that they would 
conform to my decision. During the half hour spent in this confe- 
rence, the whole multitude outside seemed as though they were trans- 
fixed to the spot, awaiting in anxious expectation the result. As King 
Josiah (who it seems is exceedingly prone to somnolency) was now 
seen to be nodding, I judged it time to move an adjournment, and the 
council was broken up. 
All now became bustle and apparent confusion; every one was in 
motion; the whole village, including the women and children, carry- 
ing baskets, hoes, sticks, &c., besides their arms and war instruments: 
all were going to the yam-grounds, expecting an engagement with the 
heathen. It had a fine effect to see them passing quickly through the 
beautiful cocoanut-groves, in companies of fifteen to twenty, in their 
martial costumes, painted, belted, and turbaned,—some of the finest 
specimens of the human race that can well be imagined, surpassing 
in symmetry and grace those of all the other groups we had visited. 
The fashion of their warlike dress is changed for every battle, in order 
to act as a disguise, and prevent them from being known to the enemy, 
but yet they are readily distinguished by their own party. 
Anxious to know the actual cause of the war, I made every inquiry 
that was in my power, and satisfied myself that it was in a great 
measure a religious contest, growing out of the zeal the missionaries 
have to propagate the gospel, and convert the heathen. With this is 
combined the desire of King George, or Taufaahau, who is already 
master of Hapai and Vavao, to possess himself of all the islands of the 
group. About three years prior to our visit, a war had broken out in 
Tonga of a similar character, and the Christian party being hard 
pressed, sent to ask the aid of King George, who came, relieved them, 
and defeated their enemies. Mr. Rabone, the missionary above spoken 
a 
onde diae 
