64 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
ance. And when by the subtlety of Verani war was brought 
to Viwa and fought round the mission premises, the burden 
grew too heavy, and his strength ebbed rapidly. 
At that time, while the work of savage slaughter was go- 
ing on, Mr. Cross gathered his family and the native teach- 
ers into his house, and barricaded them there by placing 
chests and cases against the doors and window spaces. Hav- 
ing done this, they committed themselves and their converts 
on Viwa to God. It was with great joy that they learned at 
last, when the massacre was over, that not a single Christian 
on the island had been injured. The bodies of the slain 
were heaped up or strewn around close to the mission house, 
but God’s people had been kept from all harm. 
Mr. Cross had spent eight years in the Friendly Islands 
and six in Fiji. During that time he had endured much for 
the cross of Christ. “Sickness had several times cast him 
down, and sights and sounds of horror had been round him 
continually. Now his course was run. His success had 
been great, but he had become weak and unable to work 
continuously.” 
Feeling that his strength was failing, he obtained permis- 
sion to remove to Australia, and thus seek to regain his 
health, but as he viewed the work in all its need and won- 
derful possibilities, and saw it so “cramped for want of 
men,” he resolved to stay, and die at his post if need be. 
As he continued to grow weaker, he decided to go to Somo 
Somo and there receive the benefit of Mr. Lyth’s medical 
skill; but he was even then beyond human aid, and died a 
few days later, faithful unto death in that which had been 
committed to him, but leaving a widow and five children 
mourning their great, great loss at Viwa, the heart of can- 
nibal savagery. 
Thus the Lord ofttimes buries His heroes, and leaves their 
best beloved sorely stricken. Yet in their most tragic losses 
He has sometimes secured His most glorious triumphs. It 
was even so in this case. The work had been placed by Mr. 
