112 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
although Pomare's party had forty muskets^ and those 
in the hands of the rebels were not more than fourteen^ 
they threw the king’s forces into confusion, killed a 
chief of influence, a near relative of Pomare’s, and, driving 
his warriors to their canoes, retook the object of their 
murderous contention, the image of Oro, and remained 
masters of the whole of Takabu, as well as of the 
south and western side of the large peninsula. 
Pomare, with his vanquished forces, pursued their 
voyage to Matavai, where he and his son were received 
with respect by Captain Bishop and his companions. 
His affairs appeared desperate, and he entertained no 
thoughts -of security, but by flight to Eimeo. When, 
however, he beheld the manner in which the English 
had prepared to defend themselves, if attacked 5 and was 
assured by Captain Bishop, and his companions, that if 
he was conquered, they were not; and that they would 
support him in the present critical state of the nation, 
and assist in the restoration of his government, his 
prospects appeared to brighten, and he again indulged 
the hope that his affairs might be retrieved. 
The rebels were now masters of the greater part of the 
island; and, as the Missionaries had every reason to believe 
they would attempt the conquest of the remainder, and 
knew that their establishment was the only point where they 
were likely to meet with the slightest resistance, they 
neglected no means of defence. The Mission-house was 
converted into a garrison* The enclosures of the garden 
were destroyed, the bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees cut 
down, to prevent their affording shelter to the enemy^ 
and the means of annoyance from their muskets or their 
slings. Their chapel was also pulled down, lest the 
enemy should occupy it or burn it, and from it set fire 
