Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/362

 332 FIJI AOT) THE FIJIANS. had dared to open his house for religious worship, lost his goods, and was threatened with death. On application being made to the King for the erection of a chapel, he received the proposal favourably, and gave a piece of ground for the purpose near the Mission premises, which were built on the side of the river opposite to the town. He also paid a whale's tooth for a house, the posts of which were to be used in the new chapel. This roused the heathen party still more, and Ratu Nggara vowed that he would kill any man who dared to help in the build- ing. This man was of high authority, very daring and passionate, and both the Missionaries and the King thought that it would be wiser to let the matter wait for the present. In September a violent form of influenza made its first appearance among the people, and brought many of them very low. Among the sufferers were the King and Queen. This was an anxious time for the Mission families, as there was a prevailing opinion that the disease had been brought by English vessels, while many said that it was a just visitation of punishment from the God of the foreigners. The Mission- aries and their wives, however, worked diligently to relieve the sick, thus proving their hearty good will to all, and giving successful help. Early in the morning of October 2d, loud and doleful lamentations announced the death of the Kmg's brother, for whose sake he had wished to retain Mr. Lyth. Many horrible customs were observed on this occasion, which proved to the Missionaries that they were now among a much more barbarous people than the Lakembans. A fortnight after, they were startled, while praying at a Leaders' Meeting, by the reports of three muskets, and the whizzing of the balls very near to some in the place. Ratu Nggara and two companions (one of whom has long since become a Christian) were determined to put an end to the new religion at once by shooting the jSlissionaries on their return across the river after the service. While lying in wait, the leader said, " Let us not shoot the Missionaries ; let us stay for the Tongans." In this design they were disappointed ; and, returning late at night, these reckless men fired their muskets through the place where the Christians were at worship. But God protected His people, and none were hurt. Next day a fire broke out near the Mission premises, and the people came flocking round, hoping that it would spread ; and many were so eager for plunder that they swam across the river, running the risk of de- struction by the sharks, which are numerous there. The Mission houses themselves were protected by another brother of the King, named Thokonauto, or, as he liked to be called, Phillips, who could speak English, and was friendly in his conduct. He now kept the peo-