Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/505

 VIWA AXD MBAU. 4:71 the movement against the Vunivalu. Alliance was also entered into with Rewa, which was still at war with Mbau. Koroi Thava, the principal in the late murder, proposed that the Mission property at Leiika should be seized ; and, on account of the state of affairs there, Mr. and Mrs. Binner were removed to Lakemba, taking some of the goods of Mr. Waterhouse, who yet remained on the island. It was feared, however, that he could not stay with safety. At this crisis another application was made to Thakombau for permis- sion for a Missionary to reside at Mbau. The assent was given ; and, in accordance with the decision of the last District Meeting, Mr. Water- house was to remove thither, and Mr. Calvert to take his place at Ovalau. The Vunivalu gave up a small stone house for the Missionary, and engaged to build the necessary premises at once. The removal was effected with safety ; but the whites and Tui Levuka strongly urged Mr. Waterhouse not to leave, and the Chief of the mountaineers said that the Mission-house should be burnt if Mr. Calvert remained. The foreigners were amazed and annoyed at the Mission being at last introduced at Mbau, and were made to feel that their own recent pro- ceedings had hastened on the event they had so long hindered. The death of Elijah Verani had produced a powerful effect on the mind of his old friend Thakombau, whose pride was b^ing humbled by many reverses, and by the well-organized opposition which now threat- ened to crush his power in Fiji. The whites had got the trade of Fiji into their hands, and prevented vessels from calling at Mbau ; and when one arrived with guns and ammunition from Sydney, sent by Thakombau's order, they stopped it at Ovalau, and took the cargo for themselves. They wished to get rid of the Vunivalu, and make Mara and Tui Levuka the supreme Chiefs in Fiji. They remembered being driven away from Ovalau, at a great sacrifice, when his power was great ; and now that he seemed in their hands, they determined to retaliate. A leader among them, who had been drinking enough to make him very communicative, said to Mr. Calvert, " We have taken hold of these affairs, and we intend to see them through. We intend that Thakombau shall die, and that Mara and Tui Levuka shall be the Chiefs of Fiji : hut, they must rule as we wish afterwards." This design became more and more mani- fest. The American Vice-Consul said : " Mr. Calvert, it is only the death of one man, and all will be right in Fiji." Prudence prevented the Missionary from arguing the case with the other, who had shown so much of their intention ; but this one was quite sober, a man highly respected, and exercising the greatest influence among the whites, and even the natives. Grieved that he should be governed by such principles.