Early in the morning I and my friend started on our return. Ten of the chiefs escorted us. On arriving at the first outpost of the French, we saw a troop of men having two natives amongst them, one of them a man named Paete, who was a judge in the district of Papeete. They were preparing to leave, with the intention of attacking one of the principal forts. Our escort left us there, and as soon as the French heard that there was a truce still continuing, orders were given for the men to return to their positions.

I made all the haste possible to arrive in the town of Papeete before the expiration of the time I had asked for, in which I succeded. did not even call at my own home, but went straight up to the governor's house. The governor, having seen me at a distance, riding up, came outside to meet me and help me off my horse. He understood a little Tahitian, and said: "Is it peace?" I replied that it was peace, and that everything was all right. He held my hand, and said: "The Tahitians should never forget you; but do not consider your work finished. You must now prepare to leave and to go to Raiatea." I told the governor that I would follow out his instructions, and I would certainly go; but that I had to consult my grandfather, Tati. When the old man heard that I was preparing to leave for Raiatea, he came, and with a troubled face, said to me: "Are you really going to fetch the queen, and bring her back to this country?" I told him that I was going to do so. This affected him a great deal, but he did not say why. In

Indigenous Histories