THE TONGA ISLANDS. 241 have some sinister intent : such precaution was by no means unnecessary, as this species of treachery, when it can be performed secretly, is not unusual, particularly among great war- riors, when they have some petty interest to consult. This, however, is not to be consi- dered the natural disposition of the Tonga peo- ple, but a practice which, along with that of war, they have learned from the natives of the Fiji islands, where a man seldom goes out, even perhaps with his greatest friend, without being armed, and cautiously upon his guard. Mr. Mariner had, therefore, provided himself with a pistol, as a defence against any violent mea- sures on the part of his companion. On their return down the mountain, he told his compa- ^ nion that he might have shot him dead, and nobody would have been the wiser, to which the man replied, " I see you are loto hoto*^ like
- ' the Fiji people meaning that he possessed
policy and caution against treachery j and added, *' as I am unarmed, it is a proof that 1 " had no ill design, and therefore did not sus- " pect any in you." Whilst on this island, Mr. Mariner went to see the grave of an Englishman, John Norton, belonging to the boat of the Bounty, Captain Bligh, whose crew had mutinied. He was led
- Of a wise mind.
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