Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/292

 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. several days for a fair wind. Four canoes, carrying men of the sailor tribe, who live by piracy and pillage, were sent on at once, to be ready for any emergency, and to do the King's will, should any disturbance arise. These canoes, with about a hundred souls on board, were never heard of again. Either they went down at sea, or were cast on some island, when they would, according to law, be killed and eaten by the inhabitants. A fair wind came, and the King started with two canoes manned by heathen Tongans. But the wind shifted, and though they sighted Ono, the could not lie up for it. The canoes were brought as near to the wind as possible, and tried to beat ; but, do what they would, they still drifted to leeward. They saw the reef and high land, when the wind freshened, and they were obliged to strike sail. The masts were low- ered, to let the canoes drift us easily as possible, and all chance of mak- ing Ono was gone. Things were now in a bad way with them. The breeze got stronger, and the sea was very rough, making the canoes pitch and labour terribly. Then the canoe-house was loosened, and the sailors were in great fear ; for, even if they escaped the waves, they knew not to what shore they might drift, to perish more miserably by the hands of the natives. As the night closed over them, the King seemed to give up all hope of escape. He thought of the Missionary's warning, and was very fearful. Making up his mind to die, he oiled himself, put on his royal dress and a beautiful necklace, and awaited his fate. He prayed to his god, promising great offerings, and the sacrifice of a large pig fed by his own hand, if he should return safely. Next morning, both crews were delighted to find themselves in sight of each other, and far away from Kandavu or Viti heyu, at neither of which islands could they have landed in safety. During the day they got to Totoya, where the indirect influence of Christianity had already pro- duced a change, and where the King and the Tongans were known and respected. After receiving for several days kind treatment, for which the Totoyans would expect a generous return on their next visit to La^ kemba, the wind became fair, and the two canoes started for Lakemba. Immediately on their return, the King begged the Missionary that his " words of warning might never follow him again." He was very kind to Mr. Calvert ; and when the Tongan sailors were expecting a feast on the great pig that was to be sacrificed to the god, they heard, to their infinite chagrin, that it had been sent to the Missionary, who had already salted it down. Thus did the King unmistakeably declare his conviction that he owed the preservation of his life to the mercy of the Missionary's God.