Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/539

MBUA. 501 " A few miles' run deeper into the bay brought us to a landing- place, from which, having appointed a watch to remain with the canoe, a company of us proceeded to Nasau, a village a few miles inland, where we got the people together, and reported our mission. A young man who appeared to be much respected in the place was desirous of becoming a Christian, and had been for some time ; but some of the old men violently oj)posed. The discussion became such an angry one, that I longed for its close. Having dispatched a messenger to the canoe, we pushed on further inland, and after dark reached Nai Vakasinga, a vil- lage situated at the foot of a vast cliff of black rock, and inhabited by some of Chevalier Peter Dillon's old friends. There is a wide difference between their account of the origin of the fight between the people of the ' Hunter ' and the natives of Wailea, and the account given of it by the Chevalier. Ra Mbombo, th-e Chief, gave us a cordial reception ; and, after some conversation, the Chief next in rank took upon himself the Christian name. After a frugal supper, we were conducted to the god- house to sleep. I found several old cannibals in possession. 1 stretched myself on a part of the floor, voted me as a mark of good feeling, being next to where Ea Mbombo lay. I had a block of wood for my pillow, and the roof of the temple for a coverlet. When Ra Mbombo took his place, I was fixed, with scarcely elbow room, between two veteran can- nibals, who were very curious, and plied me with questions for several hours of the dark night. On the morning of the 5th, we conducted a short service among our heathen bedfellows, and then set off to the canoe. " After a brisk run we reached Na Koro Vatu, but found that the Chief and his people were from home. The people in charge assem- bled together ; and I embraced the opportunity of preaching Jesus to them. Here we passed the night in the neatest Fijian house I have seen in these parts ; and, having my mat and mosquito curtain with me, I slept well. " The next day, with hard work and hard sailing, — the wind blow- ing half a gale, — we reached Nasavusavu, where we left our canoe, and walked to Tathilevu. The people of the place were soon collected together, and I besought them for Christ's sake to turn from idols to the living God. A man who had renounced Christianity in consequence of persecution at Wairiki, and fled here, had already regretted the step he had taken, and was desirous to worship God again. I begged his father to follow the example of his son. A man who had returned to Heathenism during the persecution of Tui Mbua some years ago, stood up, and said, ' I was driven from Christianity by threats of death : I am a Christian.' I called these two who had backslidden into Heathen-