Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/388

358 FIJI AIST) THE riJIANS. ingly rebuilt, and plentiful sacrifices offered. The beating of the lotu-drum. was forbidden, and the Christian worship might no longer be celebrated in the usual place, lest the gods of Rewa should be made angry. The priests professed themselves satisfied, and promised full success. Every effort, in the way of religious observance and warlike preparation, was being made for the overthrow of Mbau, when the principal mover in it fell sick. But in his sickness Ratu Nggara continued to harden his heart, and on the 26th of January, 1855, died of dysentery, and was buried in one of the new temples, at the building of which the priests had promised him dead bodies in abundance. The Missionary was encouraged by finding that the influence of Christianity was already so great that, in answer to his appeal only one woman was strangled at the funeral of the chief Some Rewa towns were now willing at once to turn to Mbau ; but Thakombau declined the offer, being anxious to secure peace at once. He therefore sent a messenger to the Rewa Chiefs, who consented to the termination of the war. But much bad and angry feeling still ex- isted. Many were averse to peace, and Mr. Moore was suspected of having given the late King poison in his medicine. Still the peace was formally ratified, and on the 9th of February the peace-offering was received at Mbau with beating of drums, flags flying, and every demon- stration of rejoicing. At midnight Mr. Moore was awakened by the crackling of fire in the adjoining house. Mrs. ^loore and the children were hurried out in their nmht clothes to a small dwellincr near. The people gathered in great numbers, and there was much excitement. Mr. Moore called out to them to take what goods they could get. This was well thought of; for they set eagerly to work to carry off the property, and, as was found out afterwards, were thus diverted from their object of destroying the Missionary and his family. One man, it was said, lifted his club to kill Mrs. Moore, but was prevented by a Rewan. The Mission family, midressed as they were, hastened off to Mbau for shelter. Having put his wife and children in safety, Mr. Moore returned at once to Rewa, where his presence was much needed, and where, in the midst of danger and loss, he continued to persevere in his work. A great deal of his property was consumed in the fire,' and the natives had stolen the rest, a few empty boxes that could not be easily hidden being returned by command of the Chiefs. The establishment of peace had been greatly helped by the fact that the late King, during his last hours, was speechless, and therefore unable to leave the customary charges of revenge which are always considered so binding. Many, too, who had become somewhat influenced by