ion throughout the settlements forsaken.

Such was the picture to be seen at that time in several islands of the
Society group. Borabora, or Bolabola, whose inhabitants in Cook's time
had been the fiercest warriors of the neighbouring islands, yielded to
the benign influence of the Gospel. The history of the last island
visited by the great navigator before he left the eastern side of the
Pacific for New Zealand, called by him Oheteroa, but known generally as
Rurutu, is of great interest. It is situated about two hundred and
fifty miles to the south of Raiatea. A destructive pestilence having
visited the island, two chiefs, one named Auura, built two canoes, and,
with as many of the people as they could convey, left their native
shores in search of a happier land, and to escape from their infuriated
deities.

After touching at Tubuai, they were cast on the reef surrounding Maurua.
Here, instead of being murdered, as might once have been their fate,
the starving voyagers were received with all kindness and charity. How
was this? Through the agency of native teachers the people had learned
the blessed truths of the Gospel, and were trying to obey its precepts.
Auura and his companions, hearing that the white men, who had brought to
their seas that beautiful religion the practical fruits of which they
had just experienced, were living in the islands the summits of whose
mountains they could see, set sail once more, with the desire of hearing
from their own lips a fuller account of the religion they taught. They
missed Borabora, but reached Raiatea. Here they remained rather more
than three months. When they were landed they were ignorant savages,
wild in appearance and habits. Before they left Auura could read the
Gospel of Matthew, had learned the greater part of the catechism drawn
up for the natives, and could write correctly. Several others could do
nearly as well, though previously ignorant that such an art as writing
existed.

But these earnest men were not content to go back to their people alone;
they entreated that some missionaries would accompany them. Two native
deacons at once offered themselves, and were accepted. Auura's great
fear was that many of his countrymen would have been carried off by the
pestilence before the glad tidings of salvation could be preached to
them. At that time a vessel belonging to a friend of the mission
touched at Eaiatea, and the captain agreed to carry Auura and hi