Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/523

 VIWA AKD MBATT. 487 plicit to state that, in spite of her entreating the father of her children to spare her life, on condition of future obedience, the monster killed her, and cut her body into fragments. He then fled for refuge to an adjacent town. Being a personal friend of the Chief's, he came to Mbau as soon as he was sent for, doubtless presuming on his influence with the Chief for pardon. " On the 7th of March the murderer was tried, and his culpability proved clearly. I voluntarily attended as counsel for the prisoner, but could urge no plea for acquittal, as his guilt was undeniable, and he spontaneously acknowledged it. He was sentenced to death, and then placed in solitary confinement. In co-operation with my Native Assist- ant, we visited him thrice every day. For a time he thought I would interpose on his behalf; but I assured him that I could not conscien- tiously do so. I was already blamed for having prevented the execu- tion of former criminals ; and now that murder had been committed since the promulgation of its prohibition, I could no longer shield the guilty. He was very ignorant of religious truths. On Sunday, while I explained to him the meaning of the passage, ' Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched,' he broke out in concern for his soul. After a pause, he inquired, ' Is my wife in hell 1 ' I feared she was. He seemed gratified at the reflection that he had sent the soul of his wife to infinite torment. But, when his attention was directed to this fresh proof of his unfitness to die, he again began to inquire, ' What must I do to be saved % ' He was left earnestly praying to God to have mercy on his soul. " On the evening of the 11th, the criminal was escorted to the gal- lows. He had previously assured us that God, for Christ's sake, had for- given all his sins. For several reasons, I judged it expedient to be absent on the melancholy occasion, and directed a Native Assistant to accompany the murderer, in my stead, to the place of execution. The victim of justice was absorbed in prayer to God, and paid no attention to the assembled populace. He listened solely to the exhortations of his Native Pastor, whilst one of the Chiefs addressed the company present. At the conclusion of the Chief's speech, the whole assemblage prostrated themselves, and the Teacher engaged in public prayer to Almighty God on behalf of him who was sentenced to die. We could hear distinctly from our house the voice of prayer. Then, amidst the becoming solemnity of perfect silence, the malefactor was ushered into the realities of the eternal state. He had no wish to live, and expressed great regret for all his sins." This awful scene proved how great a change had already been