Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/228

 198 FIJI A2vD THE FIJIAXS. hills, mountains were successively submerged ; but the rebels, secure in the superior height of their o^ti dwelling-place, looked on without concern. But when, at last, the terrible surges invaded their fortress, they cried for direction to a god, who, according to one account, in- structed them to form a float of the fruit of the shaddock ; according to another, sent two canoes for their use ; or, says a third, taught them how to build a canoe, and thus secure their own safety. All agree that the highest places were covered, and the remnant of the human race saved in some kind of vessel, which was at last left by the subsiding M'aters on Mbengga : hence the ]Ibenggans draw their claim to stand first in Fijian rank. The number saved — eight — exactly accords with the "few" of the Scripture record. By this flood, it is said, two tribes of the human family became extinct. One consisted entirely of women, and the other were distinguished by the appendage of a tail like that of a dog. The highest point of the island of Koro is associated with the history of the flood. Its name is Xgginggi-tangithi-Koro, which conveys the idea of a little bird sitting there and lamenting the dro^vned island. In this bird the Christians recognise Noah's dove on its second flight from the ark. I have heard a native, after listening to the incident as given by Moses, chant " JS^a qiqi sa tagici Koro ni yali:" "The Qiqi laments over Koro, because it is lost." Near Na Savu, Vanua Le^'u, the natives point out the site where, in former ages, men built a vast tower, being eager for astronomic in- SAVU FALLS.