Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/544

 506 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. taken place between the Ndama Heathen and those of Na San. On Monday morning Mr. Williams proceeded to Ndama to endeavour to restore peace. On entering that district, the desolation of war met his eye. Plots of bananas cut to the ground were seen on every hand. The village of Na Waiwai was deserted ; and the houses from which the people used to issue, with outstretched hands and smiling faces, to welcome his arrival, were all vacated. The Missionary, and those who accompanied him, sat in solitude, until a native ran to announce their arrival to the people, who had taken shelter in a forest of mangroves. Tui Mbua, the Chief of Ndama, on learning the purport of Mr. Wil- liams's visit, at once decided to become a Cliristian. Five of Tui ^Ibua's head men joined him, being determined to renounce the superstitions of their fathers. These, with the Missionary, formed a council, and it was decided that they should at once proceed to the fortress of those who wished to prolong hostilities, and entreat them to finish the war by becoming Christians. The sun was setting as they reached the fortress ; they took their seats amongst groups of grim-looking men covered with bl^ck powder, and stacks of muskets, clubs, and spears ; and the ' noon of night ' had passed before they arose from those seats. There was hard pleading on both sides. The Heathen thirsted for revenge : four of their party were dead, and others wounded, and they had not drawn blood from their enemies. However, at length Mbalata, their Chief, yielded. He put his hand into the hand of the Missionary, and said, " I should like to be a Heathen a little longer ; but I will lotu as you so earnestly entreat me.' A young warrior bowed with him, and at the silent hour of midnight, in the open air, they worshipped the one true God together. In another part of the village, twelve women, for the first time in their lives, bowed the knee to Jehovah, and said ' Amen ' to petitions offered for their present, future, and eternal happiness." Mr. Williams now directed his attention towards securing peace between Ndama and Na Sau ; and the account of his proceedings, and of their results, is so deeply interesting, that we are unwilling to abridge it, but give it almost entire. He writes : — " The second object of my visit — a peace betwixt Ndama and Na Sau — engaged my attention at an early hour next morning. The Christian Chiefs were ready to accompany me ; but knowing how important the presence of Tui Mbua was, I requested him to head our party. He objected that rheumatism in his hip incapacitated him for walking so far ; but added, ' I will not hide my mind from you : I dare not go ; you are leading me to death ; if I comply with your request, I am a dead man this day.' I strove to allay liis fears ; and my effort bemg seconded