Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/497

viwA Am) MBAir. 463 Within the house the work of death was begun. One woman was already strangled, and the second was kneeling with covered head, while several men on either side were just pulling the cord which wound round her neck, when the Missionary stood on the threshold, heart-sick and faint at the ghastly sight. Soon the woman fell dead. Mr. Watsford knew her. She had professed Christianity, and shrunk from death, asking to go to prayer. But when the fatal moment came, she rose when called, and, passing the old King's corpse, spat on it, saying, " Ah, you old wretch ! I shall be in hell with you directly ! " The third was now called for, when Thakombau caught sight of the Missionary, and, trembling with fear, looked at him in agony, and cried out, " What about it, Mr. Watsford ? " Mr. Watsford, with great difficulty answered, " Refrain Sir ! That is plenty. Two are dead. Refrain ; — I love them ! " The Chief replied, " We also love them. They are not many, — only five. But for you Missionaries many more would have been strangled." Just then the third victim approached, who had offered to die instead of her sister, who had a son living. She had sat impatiently ; and, on hearing her name, started up instantly. She was a fine woman, of high rank, and wore a new liku. Looking proudly around on the people seated in the apartment, she pranced up to the place of death, offering her hand to Mr. Watsford, who shrank back in disgust. When about to kneel, she saw that they were going to use a shabby cord, and haughtily refused to be strangled, except with a new cord. All this time the assembly gazed at her with delight, gently clapping their hands, and expressing, in subdued exclamations, their admiration of her beauty and pride. She then bid her relatives farewell, and knelt down, with her arms round one of her friends. The cord was adjusted, and the large covering thrown over her ; and while the men strained the cord, a lady of rank pressed down the head of the poor wretch, who died without a sound or struggle. Two more followed. Throughout the terrible scene there was no noise or excitement ; but a cheerful composure seemed to possess every one there, except Thakombau, who was much excited, and evidently making a great effort to act his murderous part before the face of God's messenger. He ordered that one of the victims should live ; but she refused; and her own son helped the King and the rest to strangle her. Mr. Watsford, by painful effort, stayed to the last, protesting against the heartless butchery, which he and his brethren had so long striven to prevent. So died Tanoa, Vunivalu and Chief of Mbau, and such were the obsequies of the man who had that day ended an unusually long life,