Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/516

 482 FIJI AISTD TKB FIJIANS. or alarmed. This sounded tolerably well ; but Mr. Calvert interpreted it by the light of facts which had come to his knowledge, and saw the momentous importance of the crisis. When at Kamba last, he had seen immense floats of bamboos ready to be sent to Mbau, to fortify the Lasakau quarter, as soon as it openly revolted. He also knew that ]Iara had given property to Koli, and had further promised canoe^ land, and women, to insure his help. The Kmg of Rewa, too, had offered him great wealth, and engaged to give him a hundred canoes, some of which were then building. Koli and his people could not resist such overwhelming inducements ; and the conspiracy was fairly on foot, the success of which would not only have cost the life of Thakombau, but have subverted all established authority throughout Fiji. Prompt and effectual measures were to be taken. Mr. Calvert let Koli know that he saw through his designs, and spoke to him strongly about the crime of bloodshed, which, if once begun, would spread further than he could tell, and most likely end by the club falling on his own head. These cogent reasons were backed by a solid argument, which could not fail to have effect, — a present of twelve dozen hatchets, and ten wedge-axes. " This," says Mr. Calvert, " was a bird in the hand, — a heavy one ; whereas many of the canoes promised were yet living in the forest, and his personal danger was a consideration." Giving the promise that no step should be taken against the Mbau King, Koli returned home late in the evening, and was met on the beach by his people, who were in great excitement, waiting for the final signal of revolt. He, however, ordered them off to their homes, reproving them for ever entertaining such a very improper notion as that of rebellion against the supreme Chief ! Thus was this danger averted, at any rate, for the time. The present state of affairs had a good effect not only on Thakom- bau, but on his people as well. The straits to which they were put, and the perils which continually threatened them in their beleaguered island, prepared them to receive the warnings and counsels of the Mis- sionary, so that privation and danger led the way to contrition of heart and anxiety for salvation. The city which, in its pride and power, had shut out the Ministers of Christ and opposed their work, now, humble and crippled, gladly received the hope and help of the Gospel. But, though brought to great extremity, Mbau, to the astonishment of its enemies, still held out, until even the furious and boastful King of Rewa began to feel that, after all, Thakombau might be delivered out of his hands by the God in whom he now trusted. He said, " If Tliakombau be a hypocrite, his lotu will only add fuel to the fire : but if he be truly Christian, we shall not get him."