Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/329

LAKEMBA. 299 neatly cased in a great number of banana leaves. The largest pudding was twenty-one feet, and the next nineteen feet, in circumference. All these preparations occupied much time, and before everything was ready, Tangithi got worse, and again Mr. Calvert was sent for. He found her removed to the house of a late brother of the King, who was now deified, and said to be specially present in his old house. The Missionary, knowing that the priest was there about his incanta- tions, and that large offerings had been prepared, deemed this a good opportunity for teaching. The King was much excited, and said, " The illness of my daughter is very great ! " " Yes," said Mr. Calvert, " I know it ; and you are to be blamed for following useless heathen wor- ship, instead of continuing the use of medicine which proved bene- ficial." He further added that he was unwilling to treat the patient, while the heathen observances were going on, and the priest was rub- bing her body, lest, on his treatment succeeding, it should be said that the recovery was the result of the incantations and offerings, and thus the people should become confirmed in their errors. After a long talk, and a lecture to the priest on his absurd deceptions, Mr. Calvert at last consented to undertake the case. He administered a stimulant, which revived the girl from her stupor, making her throw about her arms restlessly. This frightened the King, who thought she was dying, and cried out angrily, " You have killed my daughter ! " The Missionary was in no enviable position. The attendants and people all round were very savage at his interference with the priest, and only wanted a word to lead them to revenge. It was late at night, and the Mission-house was far off. The place was full of enraged Heathens, in the midst of whom stood the stranger accused by the King of murdering his favour- ite child. Nothing, however, was to be gained by showing fear ; so Mr. Calvert snatched up his bottles, and showed great indignation at such a charge after he had come at their earnest request, — though served so badly by them before, — and had given some of the medicine that had been sent all the way from England for his own family. Then, assuming a look of being greatly affronted, he hurried away, glad enough to get safe home, where he bolted all the doors, and kept an anxious look-out next morning, until the news came that Tangithi was alive and somewhat better. During the morning a message came from the King, begging for medicine for another of his children, who was ill with dysentery. Mr. Calvert sent word : " Give my respects to the King, and tell him that I do not wish to send any more medicine for his chil- dren, having killed his daughter last night ; and it is not lawful fcr a Missionary to kill two children of a King in so short a time." An 20