Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/469

VrWA ANT> MBAIT. 437 leaves, under some mangrove bushes ; and there the wretches waited for any hapless beings that might come near. Presently a company of women was seen approaching the sea. The attack was made, and four- teen of the poor creatures were seized ; one man who was with them being killed on the spot. The news of the capture reached Mbau the day before the canoes, and great was the rejoicing. The place was all excitement, and the people flocked together to greet the approaching fleet of death. The report soon crossed over to Viwa, and reached the Mission-house : " Fourteen women are to be brought to Mbau to-mor- row, to be killed and cooked for the Mbutoni people." Mrs. Calvert and Mrs. Lyth were alone with the children. Their husbands were many miles away on another island. The thought of the horrid fate that awaited the poor captives, roused the pity of those two lone women. But what could be done 1 Every moment was precious. Amidst such fiendish excitement, it would be a desperate thing for any one to venture into Mbau for the purpose of thwarting the bloodthirsty people. Those two noble women determined to go. A canoe was procured ; and as they went poling over the flat, they heard, with trembling, the wild din of the cannibals grow louder as they approached. The death-drum sounded terrible, and muskets were fired in triumph. Then, as they came nearer? shriek after shriek pierced through every other noise, and told that the murder was begun. Fear gave way to impatience at that wild warning? and the Englishwomen's voice urged the labouring boatmen to make better speed. They reached the beach, and were met by a loiu Chief, who dared to join them, saying, " Make haste ! Some are dead ; but some are alive ! " Surrounded bv an unseen guard which none might break through, the women of God passed among the blood-maddened cannibals unhurt. They pressed forward to the house of the old King Tanoa, the entrance to which was strictly forbidden to all women. It was no time for ceremony now. With a whale's tooth in each hand, and still accompanied by the Christian Chief, they thrust themselves into the grim presence of the King, and prayed their prayer of mercy. The old man was startled at the audacity of the intruders. His hearing was dull, and they raised their voices higher to plead for their dark sisters' lives. The King said, " Those who are dead are dead ; but those who are still alive shall live only." At that word, a man ran to Ngavmdi, to stop his butchery, and returned to say that five still lived; the rest of the fourteen were killed. But the messengers of pity could not leave their work unfinished. They went to the house of the mur- derer, and found him sitting in state, in full dress, but evidently very uncomfortable. He winced under the sharp rebuke of the Missionaries'