Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/380

 350 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. Missionary remarks : " The Heathen" — ay, and Christians too ! — " were quite astonished at our ease and apparent unconcern, while they re- mained in a state of constant terror, excitement, and alarm. ' I will say of the Lord, He is my fortress.' We trusted in our God, and were saved from repining ; and endeavoured to learn in whatever state we were therewith to be content." In August, 1844, the Missionary went, accompanied by his wife and children, in the " Triton's " boat to the District Meeting at Viwa. All were rejoiced in seeing the family alive and well, but wondered at their brother's firmness m resolving to continue in so dangerous a position. There was no probability of an end to the war for some time, and the destruction of Rewa and its people had been declared as the set purpose of Mbau. The roof of the Mission-house was also in a rotten state. In peace it had been difficult to get the thatching done ; now it was im- possible. Food was scarce, and becoming much more so. The Rewa Chiefs still clung to their gods, and still attended to the priests, though proved to be false, several of them having been killed after boastfully promising immediate victory. The King had also sent a request that there should be no more singing at the Christian worship, lest his gods should be offended. He had even gone so far as to order the fence round the Mission premises to be removed, lest it should serve as a shelter for the enemy. He repented, however, of this step, and stopped the order, expressing his regret that any of the fence had been injured. Under all these circumstances the District Meeting resolved that the Rewa Mission should, for the present, be abandoned, and the " Triton " was sent to effect the removal of the property to Yiwa as quickly as possible. Presents were given to the King and his brother to secure their permission, and the goods were removed successfully and without loss. Two Teachers, who were willing to remain, w^ere left in charge of the small band of Christians. Hitherto, Rewa, though -much the weaker, had been obstinate in keeping up the war, resting in the hope of assistance from Raivalita, their vas^i, who had engaged to kill his brother Thakombau, on condi- tion that Rewa should become tributary to him on his assuming the government of Mbau. Messengers were sent by night from him to Rewa, and it was even said that he had had a personal interview with the King and Ratu Nggara. Verani, of Yiwa, discovered this treachery, and sent a guard to his friend Thakombau, warning him of his danger. He, however, was slow to believe the news, and the crisis evidently came nearer, until it was clear that either he or Raivalita must die. He chose the latter alternative, and, by his father's permission, killed