Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/554

 516 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. Ndama war. Intelligence of this, and of ^Ir. Moore's dangerous posi tion at Mbua, reached Viwa, while Sir Everard Home was in Fiji. Mr. Calvert hastened to him, and told him the facts of the case, which induced Sir Everard at once to visit Mbua in the " Calliope," taking with him Elijah Verani, and an ambassador from Thakombau. He arrived on the 21st of October, and remained on shore all day. The visit was most opportune, as the Mbua Heathens had been out the day before his arrival, and had killed one person at Ndama. Tlie Mbua Chief was disposed to regard with favour the intervention of the British naval officer, and messengers were sent out to call together the principals in the war, to hold a conference on board the " Calliope." The assembly met, and listened attentively to a long and earnest address from Sir Everard, who entreated them to live peaceably and industriously, and pointed out the advantages of Christianity, which he warmly urged them to embrace. So good an effect was produced, that the next day another meeting of the Chiefs and others was held on shore, when peace was made and confirmed. This was an immense relief to the Mission- aries, and, on February 19th, 1853, Mr. Williams ^vi-ites : "The visit of the ship of war put a check on the demon of war, who had re-com- menced his work of desolation in the Ndama district. Steps were then taken which have materially facilitated the subsequent operations of the native Chiefs, and given to them a solidity they otherwise would not have had. At a general meeting of the parties most interested, held in January, I was glad to observe these facts were recognised and gratefully acknowledged. Up to the above date, the peace of the district was problematical ; since then, we have regarded it as settled. We have not been slow to improve the change. Under the favouring smile of peace, we have set in order our deranged operations. The Teachers have been rejoined by their wives ; and the place of Stephen has been supplied by a native of Ono, who is much liked. On the whole, we have more than ordinary cause for joy, that our circumstances, at the close of this protracted war, are so favourable. The remarks of the Heathen rebuke the littleness of our faith ; for they speak of the triumph of Christianity as being most certain. Mr. Moore's situation has been a trying one ; and his removal from the kind Christians of Nandi, to the rude Heathen of Mbua, causes the conduct of the latter to appear worse than, under ordinary circumstances, it would seem. The enemy took alarm at so aggressive a step as that of placing a Mis- sionary of the all-subduing Cross at Mbua, and became enraged. " The Fishermen in Fiji have a bad character. About us they certainly surpass their neighbours in superstition and ill-feeling. The