Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/507

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THE TONGA ISLANDS.
441

eyes flashed with the fire of rage directing them full on Mr. Mariner, he cursed him with the most bitter curse, "strike your god!"—and, rising from the ground, he demanded why he came there?—to which he answered, "Your father would not have asked me that question; and I am surprised that you are so much unlike him, as to believe in such superstitious nonsense." This was too much for him to bear, particularly before so many of his men; and snatching up a club that lay near him, he would have instantly despatched him, if some of the men present had not pushed Mr. Mariner out of the house, while the rest held Finow. Upon this the former wished him good bye[1]—said that if he wanted him he might send for him, adding, that he did not before know that his presence was so disagreeable. Several men then came out of the house, and hurried Mr. Mariner away, lest Finow, before his passion had time to cool, should pursue him, and effect some desperate revenge: he retired, therefore, to a house near the grave. Shortly after, Finow having consulted with his men upon the subject of Mr. Mariner's sneezing, resolved that, as he was a foreigner, and

    who had a superior mind, could not efface from it the depth of the impression.

  1. The expression answering to this in the Tonga language is bea ger nufo, (and you remain,) and is a phrase always used in taking leave of any one.