VERANI OF VIWA 61 
simalua was spared when all other rebel chiefs fell. While 
Thakombau never forgave him, the old king would not con- 
sent to his death; and when at last the king could no longer 
protect him, the missionary stepped in and pleaded success- 
fully for his life. Notwithstanding all this, the hatred of 
Thakombau followed Namosimalua all his life, and when 
he died, Thakombau exclaimed, “There! You have escaped 
without the club falling on your head.” 
“Such, then, was the man who, now professing Christian- 
ity, welcomed Mr. Cross to his island.” The journey had 
been made from Rewa by canoe. On the way Mrs. Cross 
suffered greatly from the discomfort of the voyage, and con- 
sequently Mr. Cross had to devote a good deal of the time 
to caring for his wife. On arrival, the crew of Rewans in- 
formed him that they must return at once to Rewa. Both 
the chief and Mr. Cross entreated them to remain, but their 
decision was fixed. Upon observing this, Mr. Cross exam- 
ined his goods, and found more than one hundred articles 
missing. They had been stolen and secreted while he had 
been engaged in caring for his wife, and this of course was 
the cause of their hurry to leave. At that point the chief 
took control of the situation, ordered that the canoe be 
detained, and soon every article had been restored to 
Mr. Cross. 
About two weeks after the arrival of the missionary, an 
epidemic of sickness broke out on the island. Thakombau 
at once sent a messenger to Viwa to inform the chief that 
this sickness was a judgment on him for having abandoned 
the gods of his people. The chief was urged to turn away 
from Christianity and to return to heathenism. This en- 
treaty was accompanied by an assurance that Thakombau 
would assist him in once more rebuilding the heathen temple. 
Nothing, however, could shake the determination of the chief 
to maintain his stand for the worship, and he replied, “Tell 
Thakombau that Jehovah alone is God; and Him I shall con- 
tinue to worship.” 
