OF THE TONGA PEOPLE.
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<e self conquered, or till their weapons were“ broken. As soon as each combat was over,“ the victor squatted himself down facing thechief, then rose up and retired. At the“ same time, some old men who seemed to sit“ as judges, gave their plaudit in a few words;“ and the multitude, especially those on the side“ to which the victor belonged, celebrated the“ glory which he had acquired, in two or three“ huzzas.
“ This entertainment was now and then sus-“ pended for a few minutes. During these in-“ tervals there were both wrestling and boxing“ matches. The first were performed in thesame manner as at Otaheite , and the second“ differed very little from the method practised“ in England. But wbat struck us with most“ surprise was, to see a couple of lusty wenches“ step forth and begin boxing without the least“ ceremony, and with as much art as the men.“ This contest, however, did not last above half“ a minute, before one of them gave it up. The“ conquering heroine received the same ap-“ plause from the spectators which they be-“ stowed upon the successful combatants of the“ other sex. We expressed some dislike at this“ part of the entertainment, which, however,“ did not prevent two other females from en-ft tering the lists. They seemed to be girls of