Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/485

VIWA AND MBATJ. 451 wreck at the isle of Thithia, and had to return to Lakemba, where he remained at the Mission-house. On the report of his wreck reaching Levuka, a party of whites sailed immediately to Thithia, hoping to be able to purchase anchors and other articles from the wreck, that would be useful in the building of their vessels. The natives of Thithia, hav- ing not only taken all, but having also killed one of the crew, could not be prevailed upon to go off to the Ovalau boat. As nothing could be obtained, the men went on to Lakemba, where they knew that the white man from Rewa remained. He, knowing the position in which they stood with the Mbau Chief, was most anxious to get to Eewa. The whites from Ovalau knew their man, who was as much disliked by them as by the natives. They said they sympathized with him ; but, as their taking him to Rewa would be offensive to Thakombau, under whom they resided at Ovalau, they feared to give him a passage. But their voyage had been unproductive ; and he offered a liberal payment if they would convey him and his two native women, and put them down in the Rewa dominions. They consented to do so. Thakombau, having heard of the wreck of this man, — while conveying to Lakemba one of his father's wives who had run away, and who was thus sent from Rewa to try to induce Lakemba to revolt from Mbau, — sent a large canoe after him to take him to Mbau, in order to make inquiry into the grounds of his engaging in Fijian wars ; but the canoe was too late. Thakombau was vexed with the whites of Ovalau for conveying the man to Rewa, knowing, as they did, how active a part he had taken in the wars. It appears, also, that the young Chief of Levuka had got tired of the supremacy of the whites in his town, and was uneasy about the extent of territory they had gained by purchase ; and, forgetful of the constant gifts he received from them, he sought their removal, thinking he should gain some advantages thereby. He also feared the Mbau Chief, whose authority stood very high at that time. All whites were ordered to depart speedily from the town of Levuka. They made offerings, asking to be allowed to remain ; but their pleadings and prop- erty were disregarded. They applied to Mr. Hunt, who deeply sym- pathized with them, and readily interceded with all earnestness with Thakombau to allow them to remain at Ovalau ; but he was inexora- ble. Had they removed to Rewa, it is probable that their influence, joined to Rewa, would have told effectually against Mbau ; but that could not be foreseen at the time, as Mbau was victorious, and held extensive and powerful dominion in Fiji. New difficulties would also have arisen had they attempted to remove to the dominions of the enemy. They resolved to locate in a, friendly part of Vanua Levu.