Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/296

 266 FIJI AJSD THE FIJIAIlfS. tree ; and every other thing to correspond : so that, with a good appetite and thankful hearts, we were as happy as our friends in England at their more sumptuous repast. Before dark we were not only on board the * Triton,' but had passed the reefs on which the American whaler where formerly an American ship was lost, and her crew killed and eaten by Ono people visiting at Vatoa." On the following morning, the " Triton " was off Ono, and very soon, though the sea was rough, was visited by small canoes full of the natives, who were anxious to tell how things were going among them. The Missionaries now heard, for the firs-t time, that the island had been the scene of war for the last three months. It seemed that the Hea- thens had been persecuting the Christians, killing and eating their pigs, and stealing their food ; all which annoyance and loss was borne pa- tiently for a time, until, anxious for peace, the Christian Chief called a meeting and presented an offering to the other party, begging that their ill-treatment might cease, and quiet be restored. Several such meet- ings were held, but the few Heathens who were disposed for peace were overruled by the rest, who were bent upon destroying the lotu^ and went about armed, frequently threatening the Christians. Things went on thus for some time, until, one Sunday, as Enoch, a Tongan Teacher, was going, in company with another man, to preach, they were sur- rounded by a party who attacked them, and from whom they hardly escaped with their lives. An open declaration of war was thus made, and the Heathens took up their position on a hill, difficult of access, and protected by the embankments which they threw up. They met some Christians outside, and killed one and wounded another, and then fled, leaving the body. This being reported at the town of Ono Levu, just after the prayer-meeting one Sunday morning, the Christians went to fetch the corpse, and then returned to preaching. There was now regular fighting for several weeks, when, at last, the Christians took the enemy's position by surprise, leaving no chance of escape. To the as- tonishment of the Heathens, who had been so abusive and cruel, and contrary to all Fijian precedent, the lives of all the conquered were spared, and their ill-conduct freely forgiven. Hereby a greater victory was won ; for the hard hearts of the Heathens were softened by this unexpected and unmerited clemency, and no more opposition was shown to the true religion, but many who had before been its enemies now confessed its power, and sought Christian teaching. This was the eleventh day since peace had been made, and the peo- ple, knowing that the Mission ship would soon call, had not yet dis-
 * Shylock,' was wrecked thirteen months ago, and her crew saved ; and