ey could reach the scene
of action not an enemy remained on their strand, with the exception of
three or four slain and some thirty or more taken prisoners. The rest
sailed away in hot haste, seized with an unusual, if not an
unaccountable panic. As their sails had become mere dots on the
horizon, the victors entered the town singing, not as before songs of
triumph in honour of their idols, but praises to Jehovah, to whom they
ascribed their victory. Mr Bent and I, with the women and children and
aged men who had not gone forth to the fight, met them, when the king,
in set form, recounted what had occurred. The first band had remained
concealed till near daylight, when the enemy appeared to be getting
drowsy after all their feasting and dancing. At a signal from their
leader they dashed forth on the foe, who, totally unprepared for them,
were seized with a sudden panic, and the greater number, leaving even
their arms, fled towards their canoes. The few who were killed had
refused to receive quarter, and as many as could be seized were taken
prisoners. These latter fully expected to be slaughtered immediately,
and to be offered up to idols, if not to be eaten. They had been
somewhat surprised in the first instance to see that their friends who
had been killed in the fight were decently interred where they fell,
instead of being dragged ignominiously by the heels to the town. They
only concluded that this was one of the new customs of the lotu people,
and had no expectation in consequence of escaping the common doom of
captives. Several of them were chiefs who had attempted to defend the
rear while their countrymen were embarking. They stood with downcast,
sullen looks, prepared for torture and death. The king now approached
them. "Why, O chiefs, did you come to attack my island and my people?"
he asked calmly. "We are now among those who wish to live at peace with
all men, to have enmity towards no one. Why did you desire to do us
harm?"

"We came against you because our king and master ordered us," answered
one of the prisoners, looking up with a fierce scowl of defiance on his
countenance. "Our object was to carry off your daughter to become our
king's wife; the rest of you we should have killed and eaten."

"And I, O chiefs, let you go free because my King and Master orders me
to be merciful, that I may obtain mercy," answered the king. "You, O
chiefs and people, are free to return to your own island