Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/501

VIWA AND MBATT. 467 the Missionary, and that the whole outrage had been committed by the Vunivalu's order. The fact was that the man shared to the Chief, and presented at his temple, was the one who had managed to escape during the night. The Missionary then visited the poor fellows who were condemned to share the fate of their murdered comrades. Two of them were awfully wounded, and insensible : the other three, though much hurt, were conscious, and to them, as they tremblingly awaited their death, were spoken words of life and hope by the minister of Christ. Mr. Calvert then went to see the Soso Chief and two of his people who had been wounded in the kidnapping expedition the day before ; and then visited the Somosomo King, who said he did not want to have the bodies eaten ; but if Thakombau presented them for that purpose, he dared not refuse. As the Missionary approached the great temple — Vata-ni-TawaM — a dead stillness rested apon Mbau, which was sud- denly broken by a loud shout, proclaiming that Thakombau had just drunk the yaqona of the Vunivalu, during the preparation of which none were allowed to move about. Another shout from the Lasakau quarter made kno-svn that the bodies were being dragged ; and soon the horrible procession came up, — the dead and the dying, dragged along by their hands, naked, with their heads rattling and grating over the rough ground. As each approached the temple, the head was violently dashed against a great stone, which became stained with blood. The usual ceremonies in honour of the young men who had taken the victims, and in the presentation of the bodies, now took place, amidst the glee of all assembled, who, however, were evidently checked by the presence of the Missionary, who continued to reprove, protest, and exhort, though a Chief asked him if he would like one of the bodies for his own eating. He left at noon, tired and faint ; but, before going to Viwa, went off to Mr. Owen, who was anchored near, in the vessel which had brought the Somosomo people. Both Mr. and Mrs. Owen had showed great kindness to the Missionaries, and now proposed to go to Mbau at once to try to prevent the cannibal feast. Mr. Calvert accompanied them ; and as they neared the shore, parts of four human bodies floated by. Tui Thakau pointed out to them one man whom he had spared, and who still lived after all the clubbing and dragging. He was washed, oiled, and fanned, but died shortly afterwards. Five ovens were already filled with the limbs of the slain, the heads and trunks being left in the sea when the washing and cutting-up took place. Through Mr. Calvert, Mr. Owen expostulated Avith Tui Thakau, and told him that if any human flesh was eaten, he and his people should not be allowed to return in the vessel to Somosomo. On hearing this, the King promised