Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/512

 4Y8 FIJI AND THE FIJIAlsrS. always sung as they drag along the bodies of enemies slain. I feared that might increase their rage, and desired to stop it. It was most grating to my feelings, and I stood still and entreated them to desist. After a short time they did so, and we proceeded to the beach. Those who had run to destroy me, departed towards their own town. " I found Ratu Vuki, a Chief of Mbau, had just arrived. lie was vexed with those who had treated me so, and would have punished them. I begged he would not. I desired him to send me to Viwa in a canoe, as I was sure Mrs. Calvert would be anxious. My boys had seen the danger to which I was exposed. They also were pursued by the natives, and hastened to Viwa, where they arrived about seven o'clock. Mrs. Calvert felt much at the alarming intelligence ; but feared to send the boat to inquire, lest my death might be followed by the killing of those she might send. She also hoped that I was alive, thinking that the ^loturiki people would not kill me. Ratu Luke Matanambamba was very kind, and very ready to go, though it was thought that my death was the vukivuki (' turning ') of Moturiki to Ovalua against Mbau ; in which case those who went would have been in danger. At mid- night I reached Viwa in the canoe, and found that my wife had borne up well, but had just given her consent to the going to look after me. " During the whole of the attack en me, the Lord blesse 1 me with great presence of mind and considerable firmness, to stand up, proceed, dispute with them, and protest against their taking away my life. My trust was in the Lord. He was my he'p and deliverer. It appeared to me very probable that my cours: and my ministry were about being ended : yet I was comforted in the assurance that Safe in the hollow of His hand.' While looking at the instruments of death which were held over and levelled at me, I felt that my life was still in His hands, and could only be taken by His permission. My prayer was to the God of my life. I was persuaded that, if He permitted my death, I should glorify Him in some ways that I could not have done by my life. I thought that the natives might be thereby led to deep consideration of the folly and evil of war, and be led to terms of peace. I gave myself afresh to the Lord, feeling willing and desirous to glorify Him, whether by life or death. I thought of my family ; and committed my children, in England, New Zealand, and Fiji, and my much-loved and faithful wife, to the Lord, in whom she trusted. I thought of the mangled body of the murdered Williams, and thought my own likely to be mangled and abused to the same extent ; but I knew that I should not be eaten, even
 * They could not yet my life devour,