Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/391

KEWA. 361 Chief they might be visiting, and was certain that, after the injury they had themselves suffered, there was no chance of peace, unless the rebel ]Iara could be brought to submit. The Missionary therefore went to the Chief of the Mbau fishermen, and desired him to try to persuade Mara to come to terms of peace, by representing that he would other- wise involve the Tongans, himself, and others, indeed the principal part of Fiji, in a most fearful and destructive war ; that, if the Tongans once attacked Kamba, they would unquestionably take it, even at the sacri- fice of a thousand persons, and by years of siege, if necessary ; and that he knew King George to be a man of resolute purpose, who would carry through what he commenced, if his life was spared. This message and request were intrusted to a principal man among the fishermen. Mara absolutely refused to yield ; and boasted strongly of the utter impossibil- ity of Kamba being taken by Tongans. He asked if they were stones. He pointed at a Chief from each of two populous and warlike districts, — ^Iburetu and Xakelo, — as the representatives of a great number of the best Fijian fighting men whom he had in the town. He said he also had twenty from each of several towns ; that they had laid in great store of provisions ; and he boasted that no Tongan should be able to stand on any ground about Kamba. " If," said he, " they build a fence on the adjoining island, there they will be able to remain; but to come to Kamba will be certain death." It became clear that the collision could not be prevented ; and King George and his Chiefs resolved to join Thakombau, the Vunivalu, in the war. It was proposed to King George that a meeting should be held for prayer, previous to going to war. At six in the morning, on the 2nd of April, an immense number attended. The large strangers' house was full, and manv were outside. The Kin^ conducted the meetins^. About sixteen persons engaged in prayer. It was a time long to be remem- bered. They earnestly and powerfidly interceded with the Lord to guide them aright, to prevent them from doing evil, to aid them in that which would be for His glory and the benefit of Fiji : they pleaded for forgiveness of past offences, and for blessings and salvation on Tonga and Fiji. The Missionaries afterwards waited on the King, and re- quested that he would prevent the destruction of life as far as possible. That, he said, he intended to do. He regretted the necessity for war, but considered it to be a duty to resent the conduct of the Fijians, and especially of Mara ; and he believed that, were the case passed over, Tongans in small numbers would not hereafter be safe in Fiji. Pre- vious to determinmg on war, he had ordered the Chiefs of the three groups of the Friendly Islands to assemble separately, and consider the