THE TONGA ISLANDS.

2G1

their ultimate escape: her heart being full ofgratitude, love and confidence found an easyaccess. They soon arrived at the rock, heleaped into the water, and she, instructed byhim, followed close after: they rose into thecavern, and rested from their fears and theirfatigue, partaking of some refreshment whichhe had brought there for himself, little think-ing, at the time, of the happiness that was instore for him. Early in the morning he re-turned to Vavaoo to avoid suspicion : but didnot fail, in the course of the day, to repairagain to the place which held all that was dearto him; he brought her mats to lie on, thefinest gnatoo for a change of dress, the best offood for her support, sandal wood oil, cocoanuts, and every thing he could think of to ren-der her life as comfortable as possible. Hegave her as much of his company as prudencewould allow, and at the most appropriate times,lest the prying eye of curiosity should find outhis retreat. He pleaded his tale of love withthe most impassioned eloquence, half of whichwould have been sufficient to have won herwarmest affections, for she owed her life to hisprompt and generous exertions at the risk ofhis own: and how much was he delightedwhen he heard the confession from her ownlips, that she had long regarded him with a