Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/345

 LAKEMBA. 315 he at once lotued, and several more, under the same influence, turned from Heathenism to serve God. Early in 1848 a large chapel was built and opened for Divine ser- vice in Nasangkalu, the third town on Lakemba. This place belonged to the late Chief Toki, who had forbidden the people to lotu ; but now Wetasua aided the work, and Wangka-i-Malani accompanied the Mis- sionary to the opening services, and earnestly exhorted the people to become Christians. Philemon Sandria, the Teacher here, had formerly been a notorious robber ; but now, to the astonishment of all who knew him as a Heathen, he was not only honest, but suffered the loss of his own property, and endured patiently many outrages which formerly he would have angrily resented. He had worked very hard and success- fully in preaching and building the chapel. Once he was attacked severely by pleurisy, but recovered under Mr. Ly th's treatment. After the opening of the new chapel much good was done, and many were led to serve God, and some to go out as Teachers into other parts. There is a settlement on Lakemba called Levuka, which is inhabited by the Levuka people, a sailor tribe, under the rule of Mbau, but of great service to the King of Lakemba in voyaging to different parts of his dominions. The connexion of these people with Mbau gave them great power, and their insolence and tyranny were fostered by the timid submission of those whom they visited, and from whom, while executing the King's business, they always managed to exact a con- siderable amount of food and property for themselves. It was thus that these rovers gained their lawless livelihood, since their frequent absence from home prevented them from tilling the soil. Their women were skilful in the making of pottery, and the carrying on of trade ; they were also good sailors, and often accompanied the men on their expeditions. The position, impudence, and industry of the whole community raised them into a better and wealthier condition than their neighbours, among whom they had a half Jew and half Gypsy reputa- tion. The dwellers at the Mission Station had often proved, to their cost, the cleverness of the Levukans in stealing, when they came to offer food and various articles for sale. One of the Levuka Chiefs was a man of mark, distinguished by his energy of character and desperate hardihood in voyages and war, as well as by his unscrupulous treachery. At Mbau he was in high repute, and his counsels were greatly respected by the powerful Chiefs of that kingdom ; but elsewhere his name was a word of fear, in many a village and household he was hated for the outrages he had wrought. He was leader of the brutal attack on part of the crew of the schooner 21