THE TONGA ISLANDS. 167 missed them, and they paddled away imme- diately for that part of the island where the o-reat fortress was situated. As the expedi- tion passed a point about five miles to the southward of the fort, a number of natives were seen on the beach, painted and dressed after the manner of war, and armed with clubs and spears ; they menaced the visitors with every martial gesture, furiously splashing up the water with their clubs, and shouting the war-whoop loudly and repeatedly. When they had proceeded a little farther, there came up to them a canoe from the garrison, with a war- rior named Ta e Tangata : he wore a turban * on his head, and stated that he came, with leave from Toe Oomoo, to enquire if any of Toobo Nuha's murderers were on board, for he was ready, he said, to fight them, and lay down his life in honour of that great and match- less chief. Finow, in answer, told him the pur- pose of his coming, and that there were none of Toobo Nuha's murderers on board, and as to himself, he was perfectly well disposed to make a peace, and, whatever his enemies
- It will be recollected, that turbans are only worn by day-
time, when within sight of an enemy, &c. see p. 158. This man, therefore, came as an enemy. This head-dress may be considered a signal of defiance, or, at best, of independence and equality.
