Verani of Viwa 
CLUSTERING around the largest island of the Fijian group, 
Viti Levu, and within the great encircling reef, are many 
small islands. Some of these are too small to support a 
population, while others are inhabited. One of these, lying 
close to the southeastern end of the large island, is called 
Mbau. This small island was the home of the most power- 
ful of all the tribes of Fiji. Its chiefs had risen to great 
power before the missionaries had yet reached those shores, 
and a strong rebellion, which was designed to overthrow 
King Tanoa, ruler of Mbau, by its failure resulted in plac- 
ing the supremacy of Mbau beyond question. The suppres- 
sion of this rebellion, and the restoration of King Tanoa to 
power, was effected by the “policy and daring” of the king’s 
son, Thakombau, afterward Fiji’s greatest king. 
It was to this island that Mr. Cross essayed to go for the 
purpose of opening up a mission for the people of Mbau. 
He found the island “densely crowded with savage people, 
infuriated with war.” “Two rebel chiefs had just been eaten, 
and two more were in the ovens when he arrived.” Observ- 
ing all this and being warned by Thakombau that his safety 
could not be assured at that time, he decided to delay his 
purpose till a more opportune occasion. 
During the following year Mr. Cross, accompanied by Mr. 
Hunt, again went to Mbau, and finding that quiet had been 
restored, and obtaining a promise from Tanoa, the aged king, 
that he would not only receive a missionary, but also build a 
suitable house for him, he decided that the time had arrived 
to begin work at Mbau. Soon he was to discover that old 
Tanoa was not inclined to keep his promise in the matter 
of the house, for instead of beginning work on the erection 
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