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Rono could not be so cruel and unjust; and Tute, as they called Cook, immediately sunk in their estimation to the rank of ordinary mortals. He was henceforth feared as a mighty chief, but venerated no longer. This change of sentiment was very evident when he returned hither from his voyage northward.
"O sublime Rono," said he, "I know now why your nose has escaped all the rubbings that mine has had to undergo." "Do you?" said Willis; "glad to hear it, for I am as much in the dark as ever." Jack then related to him the fabulous legend he had just heard. After a while, Willis shook off his entourage as gently as possible, and succeeded in getting out of the temple.
"If a storm arises," continued Fritz, without noticing Willis's commentary, "they lower their flight and approach the ground." "Forgotten their umbrellas, perhaps." "When they make a halt, outposts are established to keep a look out while the troop sleeps." "And, in cases of alarm, the outposts fire and fall in as a matter of course." "Great Rono," said Jack, "you are become a downright quiz.
As it was now late, and as they knew that Fritz would be uneasy about them, they put off laying in their stock of water till next day. Jack told the prime minister that the great Rono would be prepared to receive their majesties whenever they chose to visit him. This done, Willis and his companion seated themselves in the canoe, and rowed out to the pinnace.
Mankind had enjoyed a long period of peace and content under the beneficent protection of Rono, when their happiness was suddenly disturbed by a distressing occurrence. The goddess Opuna, the beautiful consort of Rono, degraded herself by a clandestine connexion with a man of O Wahi.
Rono, however, observing that a strange smell proceeded from O Wahi, suddenly returned, and was greatly surprised at the sight of the men. Encouraged by his friendly deportment, they made their petition to him, relating the harsh treatment they had endured from the fire-god.
Rono, enraged at this intelligence, threw the fire-god into the crater Kairuo, on the side of the mountain Mou-na-roa, where he still chafes in vain. The men now lived tranquilly on O Wahi, increased in numbers, and sought, by great sacrifices, to prove their love and thankfulness to their protector, Etua-Rono.
When, therefore, the English ships appeared, their commander was supposed to be the long-absent Rono, come to restore peace and prosperity to the country. The priest Koah having dined on board the Resolution, accompanied Captain Cook and Mr King on shore Mr King being taken for the son of the former.
Here, then, they lived very comfortably; and from their having, immediately on their arrival, taken up their abode in the Marai, the people, who were all acquainted with the story of Opuna, concluded they were sent thither by Rono, to watch over the grave of his beloved consort. To this opinion they were indebted for a veneration greater than that entertained for the gods themselves.
Had Vancouver enjoyed Cook's advantages, the islanders might still have believed him their Rono. Tameamea, during Vancouver's visit, swayed the sceptre only over the islands of O Wahi and Muwe, and was engaged in wars with his neighbour kings, whom he fought with the assistance of cannon purchased from European ships.
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