POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
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of Atehuru, and boi'e him towards the sea. This was 
not only the signal for war, but the commencement of 
hostilities. The Atehuruans fled to the valley, and the 
king and Pomare set sail with their fleet to the place of 
rendezvous; and, lest Oro should feel indignant at the 
treatment he had received, a human sacrifice was 
ordered 5 and, as no captive was at hand, one of Pomare’s 
own servants was murdered, and offered, as soon as the 
fleet reached the shore. The next morning, the fleet 
sailed with the idol for Tautira, and the Missionaries 
returned to their companions, with the tidings of these 
threatening events. When the fleet reached Papara, 
Pomare sent them word that it was probable the 
Atehuruans would attack them, and advised them to be 
upon their guard. Ten days after, they heard that the 
inhabitants of Atehuru had invaded the district of Faa, 
murdered those who had not escaped by flight, burnt 
down the houses, and continued their murderous and 
desolating course into the district of Pare, which joins 
Matavai on the south. Here they drove out the inhabi¬ 
tants, burned their habitations, and then returned to 
their own territory 5 not, however, without threatening 
to enter the district of Matavai, assault the Missionaries, 
and plunder their property. 
This rebellion, called in the annals of Tahiti, Te tamai 
ia Rua, The war of Rua, (Rua being the name of the 
principal leader of the rebellion,) was the most powerful 
and alarming that had yet taken place; and the circum¬ 
stances by which God providentially preserved the 
Missionaries from its rage, and from inevitable ruin, 
were remarkable. About six weeks before Mr. Nott 
commenced his tour of Tahiti, the Norfolk, an armed 
brig from Port Jackson, arrived at Matavai, and brought 
