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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Christians, which led them to be prepared for what¬ 
ever in the course of Divine providence might tran¬ 
spire. 
Soon after this event, the pagan chiefs of Tahiti sent 
messengers to the refugees in Eimeo, inviting them to re¬ 
turn, and re-occupy the lands they had deserted. This 
invitation they accepted; and, as the presence of the 
king was necessary in several of the usages and cere¬ 
monies observed on these occasions, Pomare went over 
about the same time, formally to reinstate them in 
their hereditary possessions. A large number of Po- 
mare’s adherents, who were professors of Christianity, 
and inhabitants of Huahine, Raiatea, and Eimeo, with 
Pomare-vahine and Mahine, the chief of Eimeo and Hua¬ 
hine, accompanied the king and the refugees to Tahiti. 
When they approached the shores of this island, the 
idolatrous party appeared in considerable force on the 
beach, assumed a hostile attitude, prohibited their 
landing, and repeatedly fired upon the king’s party. 
Instead of returning the fire, the king sent a flag of 
truce and a proposal of peace. Several messages were 
exchanged, and the negociations appeared to terminate in 
confidence and friendship. The king and his followers were 
allowed to land, and several of the people returned un¬ 
molested to their respective districts and plantations. 
Negociations for the adjustment of the differences that 
had existed between the king and his friends, and the 
idolatrous chiefs, were for a time carried on, and at 
length arranged, apparently to the satisfaction of the 
respective parties. The king, and those attached to his in¬ 
terest, were not however without suspicion, that it was 
onlj^ an apparent satisfaction; and they were not mis¬ 
taken. The idolaters had indeed joined with them in 
