THE TONGA ISLANDS. 115 not, reminding him of the admonition of the Gods. This circumstance so affected him, that it prevented his departure till the following morning. In the mean time, a Tonga chief, Filimoeatoo, and his family, having obtained permission from the superior chief of his gar- rison (that of Hihifo) to join Finow, as he was his relation, arrived at Pangaimotoo, and en- tered into the king's service. During the day, another circumstance occurred which amused Finow, and served to quiet the ruffled state of his temper. Mr. Mariner, having heard that European ships more frequently touched at Tonga than at any of the other islands, had written, while yet at Tonga, an English letter (with a solution of gunpowder and a little mu- cilage for ink), on some paper which one of the natives had had a long time in his possession, and addressed it to whomsoever it might be, stating the circumstances of his situation, an4 that of his companions. This letter he had con- fided to the care of the chief of Mafanga, (the consecrated place formerly mentioned) with di- rections to give it to the captain of any ship that might arrive at Tonga. Tooi Tooi (the Sandwich islander) having somehow heard of this letter, mentioned it to Finow, and repre- sented it to be a notice to European ships of the fate of the Port au Prince, and a request to take I 2
