CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN ARMIES. 149 
leading men, saved his life only by rushing into 
the sea, and leaving part of his dress in the hands 
of the antagonist* with whom he had grappled. 
Notwithstanding this, the assailants met with steady 
and determined resistance. 
Overpowered, however, by numbers, the viro or 
front ranks were obliged to give way. A kind of 
running fight commenced, and the parties inter¬ 
mingled in all the confusion of barbarous warfare. 
“ Here might the hideous face of war be seers, 
Stript of all pomp, adornment, and disguise.” 
The ground on which they now fought, except¬ 
ing that near the sea-beach, was partially covered 
with trees and bushes; which at times separated 
the contending parties, and intercepted their view 
of each other. Under these circumstances it was, 
that the Christians, when not actually engaged with 
their enemies, often kneeled down on the grass, 
either singly or two or three together, and offered 
up an ejaculatory prayer to God—that he would 
cover their heads in the day of battle, and, if 
agreeable to his will, preserve them, but especially 
prepare them for the results of the day, whether 
victory or defeat, life or death. 
The battle continued to rage with fierceness; 
several were killed on both sides ; the idolaters still 
pursued their way, and victory seemed to attend 
their desolating march, until they came to the 
position occupied by Mahine, Pomare-vahine, and 
their companions in arms. The advanced ranks 
* This man was afterwards an inmate of my family, and, 
in conversation on the subject, has often declared that he 
did not go to battle to support idolatry, about which he 
was indifferent; but from the allegiance he owed to his 
chief, in whose cause he felt bound to fight, and who was 
leader of the idolatrous army. 
