PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. 79 
people of Atehuru, and allowed the Missionaries 
uninterruptedly to pursue their labours in Tahiti. 
Early in 1808, Mr. Elder left this island for 
Port Jackson. Peace at that period every where 
prevailed, but it was of short duration. The dis¬ 
satisfaction of the farmers, inferior chiefs, and 
lower orders of the people, with Pomare’s conduct, 
was daily increasing, and his recent massacre of 
the Ateliuruans had greatly strengthened their 
determination to destroy his authority, and revive 
the ancient aristocratical form of government. In 
the month of October, the Missionaries received a 
note from the king, informing them of the proba¬ 
bility of war, recommending them to be upon their 
guard, and not to be deceived or taken by surprise. 
In consequence of this intimation, and the increas¬ 
ing signs of approaching hostilities, they establish¬ 
ed a strict nightly watch, and seldom went far 
from their dwelling. The preparations for battle 
were continued on both sides; every morning it 
was expected that hostilities would commence 
before the close of the day, and every night it was 
apprehended that an attack would be made before 
morning. In this state of distressing anxiety, 
without any means of flying from the gathering 
storm, all the families continued till the 25th of 
October, when a vessel from Port Jackson provi¬ 
dentially anchored in the bay, and, by ensuring a 
safe retreat in the event of sudden assault, afforded 
no small alleviation to their minds. 
On the Sabbath-day, the 6th of November, the 
district of Matavai was thrown into great confusion, 
and numbers of men appeared in arms. The king, 
who was on board the ship at the time, hastened 
on shore, and was only restrained from commen¬ 
cing an immediate attack by the counsel of his 
