Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/214

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148
TRANSACTIONS AT

was due to his meliiory : Toob6 Nuba, she Said, had been her particular friend, and slie was determined to act in a manner worthy the honour of so great a man's friendship. She then appealed to her chiefs and mataboolesy demanding of them their opinion, and whether they also did not tliink it expedient to free themselves from the dominion of Finow. Here a consultation began, which was kept up a considerable time, without coming to any de- termination, some arguing rather in favour of Finow's conduct, others rather against it ; till, at length, an old woman (sister to Toe Oomoo)j rushed into the middle of the assembly, armed with a club and spear, and brandishing them in the air, demanded, with a loud voice, why they hesitated so long in an affair, in which honour clearly pointed out the only proper path to pursue "but," she added, *' if the men are " turned women, the women shall turn men, " and revenge the death of their murdered " chief; let, then, the men stand idly looking

    • on, and when we are sacrificed in the glo-

" rious cause, the example may, perhaps, excite them to fight and die in the same spirited " endeavour to support and defend their

  • ' rights." The warlike declaration of this

heroine roused the chiefs into a state of ac- tivity, and they speedily came to a resolution to