THE CANNIBAL OUTBREAK OF 1876. 39 



visited the tribes on the Rewa river to the south-west of the 

 island, to claim their neutrality, and to endeavour to prevent 

 the mountaineers escaping in that direction under cover of 

 their friendly protection. 



The difficulties of the Fiji Government at this time could 

 hardly be exaggerated. It had neither troops nor war-ships. 

 The arms which the colony possessed were a very few rifles, 

 and some hundreds of old flint guns, and percussion Enfields, 

 which had been handed over by the late Government. The 

 New Zealand Government most promptly sent a few dozen 

 Sniders, and of course these were turned to the best possible 

 account. The wisdom of the native policy of Sir Arthur 

 Gordon and his advisers was never more apparent than in this 

 little war. The fighting men on the side of the Government 

 were called out by their own chiefs, Avho led them, fed them, 

 and controlled them, in native fashion. The chiefs were 

 counselled and directed by the officers I have named, who 

 in their turn were prompted by the experienced wisdom of 

 Mr. Carew. 



The campaign was opened by Mr. Gordon, who found the 

 'devils' occupying in force some village about 14 miles from 

 the native town of Sigatoka. Two smart skirmishes ensued 

 before the strongholds were attacked, and in both cases the 

 cannibals were promptly driven back. The first village fort 

 being taken, they retired to their great stronghold, Mantani- 

 vatu, which was on a high rock and covered with dense wood. 

 It was regarded as impregnable, for art had very cleverly (for 

 Fijians) supplemented nature. The firing of the Sniders was 

 however too much for the mountaineers, who, of course, had 

 only the old muzzle-loading muskets; and although they 

 defended themselves with great bravery, the rock was scaled 

 and captured by the Government forces, after a brief hand-to- 



