sat looking
down to the earth in sullen silence; and a ludicrous episode ensued. His
wife, a big, strong woman, scolded him roundly for the trouble he had
brought them all into; and then, getting indignant as well as angry, she
seized a huge cocoanut leaf out of the bush, and with the butt end
thereof began thrashing his shoulders vigorously as she poured out the
vials of her wrath in torrents of words, always winding up with the cry,
"I'll knock the Tevil out of him! He'll not try hurricanes again!"

The woman was a Malay, as all the Aniwans were. Had a Papuan woman on
Tanna or Erromanga dared such a thing, she would have been killed on the
spot. But even on Aniwa, the unwonted spectacle of a wife beating her
husband created uproarious amusement. At length I remonstrated, saying,
"You had better stop now! You don't want to kill him, do you? You seem
to have knocked 'the Tevil' pretty well out of him now! You see how he
receives it all in silence, and repents of all his bad talk and bad
conduct."

They exacted from him a solemn promise as to the making of no more
diseases or hurricanes, and that he would live at peace with his
neighbors. The offending villagers at length presented a large quantity
of sugar-cane and food to us as a peace-offering; and we returned,
praising God that the whole day's scolding had ended in talk, not blood.
The result was every way most helpful. Our friends knew their strength
and took courage. Our enemies were disheartened and afraid. We saw the
balance growing heavier every day on the side of Jesus; and our souls
blessed the Lord.

CHAPTER LXXII.
THE CONVERSION OF YOUWILI.

THESE events suggest to me another incident of those days, full at once
of trial and of joy. It pertains to the story of our young Chief
Youwili. From the first, and for long, he was most audacious and
troublesome. Observing that for several days no Natives had come near
the Mission House, I asked the old Chief if he knew why, and he
answered, "Youwili has _tabooed_ the paths, and threatens death to any
one who breaks through it."

I at once replied, "Then I conclude that you all agree with him, and
wish me to leave. We are here only to teach you and your people. If he
has power to prevent that we shall leave with the _Dayspring_."

The old Chief called the people together, and they came to me, saying,
"Our anger is strong against Youwili. Go with us and break down the
_taboo_. We will assist and protect you.