66 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
quiry, and never failed to advocate its claims on others, even 
in distant parts.” 
So far from being discouraged by the attitude of Thakom- 
bau, Verani now began to urge that great warrior to embrace 
Christianity. In this, however, he was unsuccessful. As 
the Easter season approached, Verani decided that he should 
hesitate no longer, and resolved to dedicate himself publicly 
to the true God on Good Friday, when a religious service 
would be held to commemorate the death of Christ. 
“Early in the morning he went to Mr. Hunt, and asked 
him when the day would occur again. On being told that 
it would not be for a year, he said firmly, “Then I will be- 
come a Christian today.’ He kept his word, and at the morn- 
ing prayer meeting .. . the little congregation were made 
glad by seeing the dreaded Verani, as humble as a child, bow 
his knee before God, and openly declare that he henceforth 
abandoned heathenism and its practices.” 
This resolve was soon tested, for almost at once he was 
offered deadly insult by an act of violence in which two of 
his family were cruelly put to death. “But the arm once 
so quick to strike in bloody revenge, was now unmoved.” 
Verani was now another man. And when his own widowed 
sister, with the other wives of the murdered men, gathered 
round him, and wildly urged him to have them strangled 
according to the customs of Fiji, he remained firm, and re- 
plied calmly, “If you had come some time since, I would 
readily have done it; but I have now lotued [worshiped], 
and the work of death is over.” 
“Hearing of Verani’s intention to lotu, Thakombau, when 
too late, sent a messenger, requesting further delay, that 
they might all become Christians together. The answer was: 
‘Tell Thakombau that I have waited very long at his request; 
and now that I have become a Christian, I shall be glad to 
go anywhere with my people to attend to his lawful work; 
but I fear Almighty God, ...and dare no longer delay.’ 
