Mary Wallis’ journey of the Pacific
Part 4
AFTER remaining at home in Salem, Massachusetts for four months, Mary Wallis chose to accompany her husband once more for the mighty waters onboard the Bark Zotoff.
In the final chapters of Mary’s log of experience in her book, ‘Life in Feejee,’ she wrote that they arrived in Fiji for the final time in March of 1848 and anchored first at Moturiki.
“We learn that the mission of Feejee has been variously afflicted since we left,” Mary stated.
“Mrs. Hazlewood, wife of Rev D Hazlewood, died the last week, of dysentery, leaving an infant two weeks old. Mr. H. is stationed at Nandy.
“Two little girls are also deprived of a mother’s affection and care by this afflicting dispensation.”
Mary spent some time with old missionary friends at Viwa before accompanying her husband to the Ba coast.
“This morning with a sad heart I revisited my once happy home. No alteration was to be seen in the interior of the house and the furniture was the same as when I left.
After remaining at Viwa for six months, Mary departed with Mr Wallis and stated that she had been quite unwell during her stay at Viwa.
“Anchored at Tavea. The Glide, a tender belonging to the bark, was sent to this part of Feejee some weeks since, to get houses under way, and urge the natives on with the fishing against the arrival of the bark.”
Later Mary accompanied Elijah who was also known as Ratu Verani to Raviravi.
“The town is surrounded by lofty hills, open to the sea only at the north. It contains about fifty houses; most of them are small.
“The town of Raverave (Raviravi) had been destroyed some two years since but was immediately rebuilt. Two large bure were erected on the same spot where the two destroyed had stood.
“On our way I was shown a ditch where the remains of Tui Mathuata ( Tui Mucuata), the murdered king, were thrown at the time of the massacre.”
After visiting the natives and hearing many stories, Mary returned to the bark and later received a visit from several of the ladies belonging to the chief.
“Among the number was a daughter of the late king.
“She had been demanded by, and given to Tanoa, king of Bau, but while on a visit to her father, as she and several of her women were one day employed in fishing, she was taken to Mathuata by force, to become a wife of her cousin, who was the determined enemy of her father.
“The affair gave great offence to Tanoa at the time, but when Retova (Ritova) went in the bark to visit Bau on our first voyage, he “soroed” to the king with a musket and some whales’ teeth.”
Mary then heard of a young woman who was strangled in the town and had suffered for several weeks from some complaint in her head.
“Mr. Wallis had directed Elijah to let blood from a vein in her arm, to shave her head, and apply blisters.
“Medicines were also administered, but nothing relieved her, and to-day, as soon as Elijah left the place to visit Bau and Vewa, the Marama said: Now Elijah has departed, the girl cannot recover, she will be a long time dying; let us strangle her that we may not be troubled with her any longer.
“The assembled dames of Raverave (Raviravi) pronounced the speech to be very good, and soon ended the sufferings of the girl with the strangling cord.”
While Mr Wallis intended to remain at Tavea for a few days, Mary chose to visit Bua with Elijah.
“We arrived at Bua Bay an hour before the sun set, and Elijah asked if they should land and rest a little, and refresh themselves with some coconuts, great quantities of which were growing near.
“About dark we arrived at the mission station and were welcomed at the landing by Mr. and Mrs. Williams, who had received word of our coming by a native of Tavea.”
Mary attended the native service in the chapel and while the congregation was not as large as at Viwa, the singing was far better.
“After the native service in the morning, Mr. Williams preached in English. The latter service was held in his study. It was very pleasant to me to unite once more with the people of God in worshipping Him who has bestowed so many blessings upon us and saved us from so many dangers to which we have been exposed.”
The next day as Mary walked along the bank of the river, she saw a canoe about
to sail which had an old man and woman inside; Mary decided to join them.
“As I stepped upon the frail little bark, the old man shouted, “Now I am the king of Feejee!” The natives, of whom there were several on the margin of the river, laughed, and asked where he was going, Au sa lako ge papalagi.
“After a pleasant sail, I landed where the footpath from the town terminated, and returned to the mission-house, having enjoyed a pleasant walk-in addition to my excursion on the river.”
It was soon one year since Mary had left home, travelling around the islands of Fiji and the final destination before saying farewell to Fiji was Bau.
With the Calverts, she proceeded from Viwa to visit the good old Cakobau.
“The king, hearing of our intention, started at once and reached Bau before us.
“He passed our canoe in one of a smaller size and was seated in a large arm chair, which had been lashed to the canoe.
“When we first arrived in Feejee, he would have ridiculed the idea of a Feejeean sitting in an arm chair on a canoe; but he is greatly changed since my first acquaintance with him. He appears fond of many of the comforts of civilized life.”
Cakobau’s formerly occupied large house had been blown down during one of the storms and he was now living in a smaller house erected on the same spot.
“Samonunu showed us the beginning of a stone house, but when it would be finished was more than she could tell.
“We called on the old king, Tanoa, and found him surrounded by old men, who were drinking yagona.
“I found the king much more feeble than when I last saw him. He still retains a fondness for ornamenting his head. He wore a white ‘sala’ with several yards of pink ribbon wound about it.”
Mary then took leave from the Calverts and their little children and once more joined the bark.
“Navinde, who had been collecting beche de mer for Mr W, had come from Gau, and was on board when I arrived at the bark.
“I asked him about the report that had been in circulation respecting him and Thakombau.
“He said it was false, and got up by a poor man, to injure him. “Why should I kill Thakombau? If I kill him, it would be my own death.”
Soon, it was time to leave, and after sailing to Moturiki where they received letters and a basket of juicy pineapples, it was time to return home and for good this time.
Mary then heard of a young woman who was strangled in the town and had suffered for several weeks from some complaint in her head. “Mr. Wallis had directed Elijah to let blood from a vein in her arm, to shave her head, and apply blisters. “Medicines were also administered
– Life in Feejee –