Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/294

 264 FIJI AXD THE FIJIANS. ion. The object of the voyage was utterly lost, and fresh and more decisive measures were talked over for the suppression of Christianity. But in all these things the good cause prospered, and Christians in other parts were greatly enheartened by the noble firmness of the Ono people, while many others began to inquire what there could be in the new religion to make its professors so different from all other men. At last the Missionaries got the King to consent that Jemima should remain at Ono, whither the intelligence was at once sent that he was ready to receive the usual gift of property as a compensation. On the 18th of March, 1841, large balls of sinnet arrived from Ono, and were presented the next day, with several articles supplied by the Mis- sionaries, as the customary offering, which, being accepted, the girl was allowed to marry any other man ; but had she dared to do so before, the man's life would have been forfeited, and the island on which they lived subjected to severe punishment. Tui Nayau received the offering, but returned an equivocal answer. On the 20th, therefore, the Mission- aries went to his house with fresh gifts, urging him to fulfil his promise. But evil counsellors were round him, who were jealous for their native customs, and bitter against Christianity. Some time had elapsed since the King's disastrous voyage, and its wholesome lesson seemed forgot- ten. He was evidently anxious to have the girl. Besides, the Ono property was already in his house, and no one dared to remove it. Such articles as were known to have been supplied by the ISIissionaries were returned, with an intimation that Jemima must be brought. The Ono people were now in fear all the while they remained at Lakemba, and their failure excited much alarm among their friends on their return. About, four months later, in July, Mr. Waterhouse, the General Superintendent, paid his second visit to Fiji ; and, on hearing of the case of Jemima, went, accompanied by the Missionaries, to try to pre- vail on the King to forego his claim. " But," he writes, " under the influence of his Chiefs, he was in'ulnerable ; and nothing now remains for her but a compliance with his wish, or death." The Ono Christians refused to take the girl to Lakemba, and would not let the Heathens meddl-e with her ; so the King sent a Chief whc had always been successful in collecting property at Ono ; but he also failed, and the King was afraid himself to venture again on such an errand. In these circumstances the Christians betook themselves to prayer, and stood firm. Several converts were added to their number ; but the help of the Heathens was gradually withdrawn afler Toki lefl the island, and, once more, the loiu people became exposed to persecu- tion from their own neighbours.