VERANI OF VIWA 63 
mission were not infrequently in need of divine help and 
protection. 
On one occasion a party of Christians, in sailing close to 
the reef off the coast of the large island, Viti Levu, were 
nearly lost through the breaking loose of the outrigger of 
their canoe. “The people on shore, seeing the wreck, hurried 
together to carry out the old custom of appropriating the 
canoe and cargo, and killing the crew for the ovens. On 
nearing her, their dark purpose was confirmed by finding 
that the unfortunates were from Viwa, whence their people 
had lately suffered great outrages, several of their friends 
having been murdered by Viwans. 
“Hundreds of armed men assembled on the reef near the 
canoe, which lay tossing about in danger of being capsized 
at any moment, while the people on board worked hard to 
keep her right, and prayed earnestly to the Almighty to save 
them from the hands of their enemies, who, with brandished 
weapons, cried: “You are in our power! Now we will kill 
you, in return for the murder of our friends!’ 
“A young man on board replied with great boldness: ‘Kill 
us, if you wish; but know that we did not kill your friends. 
Before they were killed, we had become Christians; and since 
that, we have left off doing such evil deeds. It will be better 
for you not to kill us, but come and help us to bale the water 
out of our canoe.’ 
“These men of blood were restrained, and many of them 
left their purpose of cruelty, and actually went to help the 
Viwans to empty their canoe and lash on the outrigger, so 
that, in a little while, they were again able to put to sea, re- 
joicing in the Lord, who had thus delivered them. Even 
heathens exclaimed, ‘It is Jehovah! for nothing like this has 
been known in Fiji before.’ ” 
In the midst of his labors Mr. Cross found his health to be 
failing rapidly. The unceasing cares and anxieties of his lot, 
and the incessant toil for this people amid unbelievable peril 
and hardship, had proved to be beyond his physical endur- 
