Fiji and the Friendly Isles; Sketches of Their Scenery and People (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...some time and was now much worse. W'uat was to be done? The wind raged and the sea appeared no longer in waves, but rose mountains high; indeed, it seemed as though wind and water were conspiring to destroy all who should venture that day on the treacherous deep. Mr. Fordham did not stay long to think about self, but you shall hear what he says. 'Mrs. W was so ill I determined to venture. Happily there was Mr. Berry to steer the boat, and the current was rushing in with tremendous force, so that in case the boat upset we might be carried towards the shore. The anxious time passed and we reached the Glyde in safety. We now steered for Ovalau, and for two hours the wind continued very high. Then it fell light, and we were as long in running the last five miles as we had been the first fifteen. I went twice to see Mrs.-W, prescribed for her, and made up the medicines, and was glad to leave her a little better.' All voyagers, alas did not escape so happily that day; some were drowned, the head of one poor man being found the next morning inside a shark. The peace of the sabbath day at Nasavu seventeen years ago was suddenly broken and spoilt by more than 200 Fijians from another part, who arrived about noon, and rushed with horrible war-cries upon the western side of the town. Presently they broke in upon the mission premises and set fire to some of the buildings, though fortunately not to the house occupied by Mr. and Mrs..Fordham. Still, imagine the anxiety felt by the latter in peril like this. What faith and courage they needed when placed in circumstances like these I am glad to tell you the Christians of Nasavu defended themselves so bravely that at last the enemy was obliged to retire. Mr. Calvert, another brave missionary in Fiji, was...