Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/293

ONO. 263 It has already been mentioned that two canoes belonging to Christian Tongans had not started with the rest from Lakemba on the Sabbath : they left the next day, and joined the King at Vatoa, bringing with them Toki, the King's brother, and his Fijian followers. This man was inveterate in his opposition to Christianity, and had been one of the principal movers in the present expedition. It is not a little remark- able that these two Tongan canoes, manned with Christians, left Vatoa in company with the King, and reached Ono in safety, while the other canoes, which were much superior craft, drifted away, and were almost lost. Toki first landed at the small island of Ndoi, whence news was taken the same evening to Ono, that he had come for the purpose of taking Jemima by force. At this crisis the lotu people resolved to stand firm, and defend themselves, determining to suffer destruction rather than give up the girl. The Heathens round them, who had been so bitter against Christianity, now feared the injury that would come to their own lands, and to such of their relatives as belonged to the lotu. See- ing the firmness of the Christians, and finding that they were already beginning to fortify their town, so as to be ready for Toki's attack the next morning, they went and freely offered to make common cause with them against the King's brother. All the houses, therefore, were at once forsaken, and the people assembled in a good position, which they worked hard all night to fortify. A messenger came to Toki, informing him that all the Ono people were one in their intention to resist his attack ; but were quite willing to feed him and his people, if he came peaceably, and to present the usual tribute. He immediately sent back two messengers, to say, with all respect, that he had come in peace, and intended no harm ; that, if he had entertained the thought of war, he should have sent them a message to that effect, in Fijian style, that they might have been prepared. Arrangements were at once made for Toki and his party to land quietly at Ono. The people again dispersed to their houses, and set to work to prepare food for their visitors, whose conduct, however, was by no means friendly, so that a close watch was kept on them. The Heathens kept guard while the Christians were at worship, and the Christians watched while the others presented property or food, or were engaged in the native dances. Three months passed thus, when, no news having being heard of the King and his party, Toki received the usual tribute, and returned to Lakemba. But his visit had made him hate the lotu more bitterly than ever. He was annoyed at seeing the Ono people so firm, going about armed, and forbidding dances and drum-beatings on the Sabbath, because it was contrary to the new relig.