Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/484

 450 FIJI AJH) THE nJIANS. cles became scarce at Ovalau, where so many made them their chief diet. Hence it became necessary for the settlers to have some share in a boat, and thus they formed partnerships. The leading firm was that of Messrs. David Whippy, (an American,) William Simpson, (English ship-builder,) and William Cusick (Irish blacksmith). William Miller, an English ship-builder, afterwards joined. Tliis firm owned the largest schooner — about twenty tons — which they built themselves. James Watkin, an old resident, was connected with this firm, and exercised considerable influence among the whites, as the settlement rose. He became severely afflicted, and resided for a length of time with Mr. Hunt, at Viwa, where he obtamed religion, and became a very happy man. In the midst of the most severe sufferings, which kept him awake most of the night, he was patient, and exulted in the Saviour's love. Mr. Hunt cheerfully paid him all attention, and the whites from Ovap lau were constant in their kind consideration of his case as long as he lived. His native wife was a pattern of diligent care for her afflicted husband. This affair brought the Missionary and the whites into a closer and more friendly intimacy ; and Mr. Hunt's extreme kindness and deep concern for their welfare and that of their families endeared him much to them, and gave him considerable influence. They were very ready to allow their wives to meet in Class, and to encourage and help the Teachers with the children. Mr. Hunt, seeing that the half- caste children would become an influential class in Fiji, and that they could not have necessary attention from their parents, and could not be managed by the native Teachers, took five of the boys to Viwa, where he taught them English, and tried to raise them by a good education and training. He, while employed in his study, had them at desks by his side, and paid all the attention he could to them. These lads were thereby much better fitted as interpreters on board of ships, and they have been active, vigorous, and influential ; but none of them having become religious, they have not as yet repaid the labour bestowed upon them, or realized the hopes of their kind teacher. Some of the half- caste girls have been married to white residents ; but, generally, this class is intermarrying ; and hence will arise a considerable race of quad- roons, who with their parents and grandfathers, are likely to take a prominent part in Fiji. In May, 1844, an event occurred which greatly interfered with the prospects of the white residents on Ovalau. A white man at Rewa was known to have taken part with the Chiefs with whom he resided in the war with Mbau. In voyaging to the windward group, he suffered ship*