222 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES.. 
were, and not to bend them to the views of those 
whose object was to introduce disorder and to 
foster crime; to let them know at once, that 
though they were chiefs, they, as well as their 
subjects, must respect the laws, or sustain the 
consequences. We think they will submit, (he 
added,) but perhaps we are mistaken, and the 
issue of this day is not altogether certain. God, 
who overrules all events, and sometimes uses the 
wicked to accomplish his purposes, may, perhaps, 
design by them to punish and to humble us, and 
to give them a temporary ascendency; we ought 
therefore to look to Him. 
I do not vouch for the accuracy of the language, 
but these are the sentiments he expressed. 
Drawing to a close, he turned towards us, as we 
were sitting on a rustic rail near the outside of the 
assembly, and observed, that though he appre¬ 
hended there was no danger, it would be well to 
be prepared ; for should they be overcome, although 
the young chiefs might be inclined to favour us, 
they could not restrain their followers; that our 
property would be a temptation; and that as we 
were supposed to have facilitated the introduction 
and enforced the observance of the laws, it might 
be necessary, in order to our safety, that we should 
leave the island, even before sunset. A degree of 
excited animation, attended with a lively and im¬ 
pressive action and an impassioned feeling, which 
greatly affected us, breathed through the whole of 
his harangue, and during the latter part we could 
not refrain from tears. 
Shortly after Taua closed, Hautia, who was clad 
in a loose parau round his loins, a light and beau- 
fully fringed purau mat thrown like a mantle 
loosely over his shoulders, and holding a light 
