BETE’S DEATH. 269 
diabolical plot he had laid, and that had his father not 
followed the Consul’s advice to act honestly, he would 
never have been in his power. ‘I have three balls in 
my musket for you, Bete;” he said, “you, who want to 
kill my father, his son, and all his people, in cold blood.” 
With these words he fired, and two balls lodged in 
Bete’s body ; he died instantly. A great uproar followed ; 
some of Ritova’s friends, and they were numerous, voted 
for killing all Bete’s followers and razing the town. 
Ritova, who had all the while been on board his canoes, 
rushed on shore, quelled the excitement by his presence, 
and harangued the crowd. “ People of Naduri,” he said, 
“you who deserted me, your proper chief, when the 
Tonguese drove him from the land of his forefathers, 
you may all live! Were it not for my solemn promises 
to the British Consul, you would all die this day with 
the man you followed; he has told me to spare my ene- 
mies, therefore, be pardoned; keep quiet; I will send 
for Christian teachers—not Tonguese—European or 
Fijian, and we will all endeavour to live in peace, and 
cultivate agriculture and trade.” * 
Everything was going on quietly again when Maafu 
dispatched his lieutenant, Wai-ni-golo, to Macuata, and 
troubles at once recommenced. The very excellence of 
this, the finest district in Fiji, makes these artful and 
bold Tonguese crave after it so much. Fortunately, 
about the middle of July, 1861, Commodore Seymour, 
in H.B.M.S. Pelorus, arrived at Ovalau, and extracts 
from his dispatch shall carry on the story. 
* ‘Atheneum,’ No. 1791, p. 261.—Also private letters from residents 
in Fiji. 
