Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/291

 ONO. 261 Ono saw the importance of the crisis, and were quietly urging Tui Nayau and his Chiefs to demand Jemima. Whereupon the King equipped a fleet of eleven canoes, to go to Ono, manning several of them with fighting men. Hearing of this, the Missionary went to him, and, presenting a whale's tooth, said, " You are preparing to voyage to Ono. I understand that you intend to compel Jemima to be brought to you. I beg you will not do so, but allow her to remain at her own island, a Christian." " O no ; I am only going there for tribute, — sinnet, cloth, and pearl shells." " If so, why do you take your warriors with you ? I should have thought that, if you were merely going for tribute, you would have taken sailors ; but, instead of that, you take a number of warriors." " O, they are good sailors also. I shall manage very well with them." " Tui Nayau, before I leave you, I warn you faithfully. I love you, and therefore warn you. God's people are as the apple of His eye. In thus fetching the girl, you are fighting against God. You will imperil your own safety if you go on such an errand. Remember that on the sea, and at all the islands between Lakemba and Ono, the Lord Jehovah rules supreme, and can easily punish you if you are found fighting against Him. Take care what you are about." " O no ; I don't intend anything of the kind. I am only just going to my own island, to fetch tribute, as I have done before." Finding that he could get no acknowledgment or concession, Mr. Calvert said, in parting, " I hear what your mouth says, but do not know what your heart intends. I do not know what you really purpose ; but forewarn you, that you are risking your own safety, if you attempt to fetch that girl from Ono." On the Sunday, the King sailed with his warriors. He had been requested to delay starting till the Monday, as two of the canoes, on one of which was his brother, were manned by Christian Tongans. He refused, telling them to follow the next day. The voyage went on prosperously, and the party stopped night after night at the various islands lying in the route. Thus they visited Komo, Namuka, Ongea ; and at last reached Vatoa, within a short day's sail of Ono. There Tui Nayau threw oflT all disguise, and by his ill-treatment of the Vatoan Christians showed plainly what he purposed at Ono. Food and prop- erty were wantonly destroyed, and no one might complain, as the people had committed the great offence of having become Christians before their King. Wishing to make very sure, the expedition waited