Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/468

 436 FIJI Ain) THE FIJIAl^S. the Missionary whether he had said that his wife was struck by a god, when he was inspired, or as an ordinary mortal, he replied that he only supposed such to be the case. The oil produced a powerful effect speedily, and the woman revived. This is but one of many instances in which the adminstering of medicine gave the Missionaries the oppor- tunity of exposing the falsehood and foolisliness of Heathenism, and dispensing the blessings of the Gospel. Before Mr. Calvert lef^ Fiji, this same priest loiued, and presented him with his sacred drinking- bowl. During this year, Mr. Lyth was in great danger from a violent attack of dysentery, accompanied with fever. For some time death seemed inevitable; but the servant of God was greatly blessed, and awaited his change with undisturbed composure. The Missionaries, however, were not thus to have sorrow upon sorrow ; and the valuable life of their brother was spared. Whatever good had been accomplished at Mbau, the ^Missionaries had yet to feel that the old-established evils of Fiji were not to be easily destroyed in this their stronghold. The Mbutoni tribe are rovers, spending much of their lives on the sea, and owning the dominion of Mbau. Afler a longer absence than usual, they had lately returned, bringing a large offering to the King of Fijian property, the fruits of their buccaneering. To entertain such profitable guests in good style, human ^dctims must be obtained, and two youths were accordingly entrapped and killed. But the honour of Mbau must be maintained, and in this honour one man, in particular, felt that his own was involved. This was no other than Ngavindi, the Chief of the Fishermen, and official purveyor of material for cannibal feasts. Nga^dndi had held a good deal. of intercourse with the Missionaries, and seemed to allow the truth of their teaching ; but now they were both away at the District Meeting at Mbua, and the Mbutoni guests had already been some weeks at Mbau without being honoured with the customary banquet. So Ngavindi summoned his people and priests, and got several canoes afloat. " We shall lose," said he, " our renown. We shall not be dreaded or fed. We have provided no food for the visitors. We must go to it in earnest. We will seek for enemies to ^Mbau. If we cannot catch any enemies, we will kill some who are friendly ; and, if we can- not get either friends or enemies, some of ourselves must be strangled. Otherwise, we shall be disgraced, for not doing what is our special M'ork. Others are procuring : we must have some human beings." The priest promised success, and was threatened in case of failure. The expedition started and brought up their canoes, with the ends covered with green