THE TONGA ISLANDS.

223

into the artful character of Finow, with muchless of the above prejudice, constantly objectedto make peace with a man on whose honourand integrity they thought it impossible to relywith any degree of certainty, and who wouldagain give room for a quarrel with the Vavaoopeople whenever it suited his purpose. Thiswas their real thought, and perhaps a just one :though they did not express their sentimentswith such latitude to the priests: to these theymerely objected their apprehensions, that in theevent of a peace, Finow would, at some fitopportunity, wreak his vengeance upon thempersonally for having fought against him. Atlength, however, they said that as their liveswere not a matter of so much consequence asthe peace and happiness of Toe Oomoo and herpeople generally, they were willing to with-draw their objections, that the affair might bespeedily settled according to the wishes of theolder chiefs. The priests now returned toNeafoo with the warmest assurances from thechiefs of Felletoa, that they would pay Finowan amicable visit the following day.

The next morning the chiefs and warriors ofFelletoa, with several women, were seen comingtowards Neafoo, advancing two and two, allarmed, painted and decorated with streamers,forming altogether a very beautiful and ro-