The Kings Artillerymen. 
221 
to see their men deserting them on all sides, and 
fleeing in terror from the dreadful round shot.” 
One incident in connection with this affair is 
also related by Mr. Mariner, who says that one 
of Finau’s Fijian bodyguard, who had no doubt 
been present at the cutting-off of the Port-au- 
Prince , had taken from on board an earthenware 
fish-strainer, “ such as is laid in the bottom of 
dishes when fish is brought to table. With this 
implement he had made himself a sort of breast¬ 
plate, and donned it at the assault upon the fort; 
but unluckily it happened that an arrow pierced 
him directly through the hole which is commonly 
in the middle of such strainers.” The wound 
laid him up eight months, and he never after¬ 
wards (in Mr. Mariner’s time) was able to hold 
himself perfectly erect. 
The last time that the fortress of Nukualofa 
came into prominence again in connection with 
white men was when Captain Crocker, of H.M.S. 
Favourite , was killed near there in 1842, when 
leading his men to succour the youthful King 
George, whose kingdom was in a state of 
rebellion. The result was most disastrous, for 
not only was he repulsed, but the rebels captured 
two guns as well. 
