is he found a delightful occupation. When doing so, he spent many
hours walking up and down on the smooth sea sand, with shoeless feet,
looking out every now and then on the blue ocean, and thinking what a
beautiful world it is we inhabit, and how grievous that man should mar
it by his evil temper and wicked deeds. Then he would occasionally sing
all the hymns he knew at the top of his voice, from very joyfulness of
heart. In the week-days, when at work, he would repeat over what he had
learned on the Sundays. Thus five months, by his calculation, passed
away.

One Monday forenoon, as he was going out to the end of a reef to fish,
on looking in the direction where he had frequently seen what he
supposed to be land, he saw an object moving over the water. It was not
white, like the sail of a vessel. It must, then, be the mat-sail of a
large double canoe. Thinking no more of his fishing, he ran up to the
highest rocky hill in the neighbourhood to watch its progress. It was
drawing nearer the island, and yet apparently not steering directly for
it, rather, as it were, to pass at some distance.

"I wonder what sort of people are on board," he thought. "Perhaps
savages--cannibals. Then it will be much better if they do not come
here. If they are Christian natives, then I shall be very glad to go
with them, as they of course are on their way to some civilised island
where ships are likely to call."

The wind was light, the canoe moved slowly, and Ben's anxiety increased.
At last it seemed clear that the canoe would not come nearer to the
island. He heaved a deep sigh, and sat silent and sad for some time.
Then he recollected that he was going to fish. He got up, and again
worked his way towards the end of the reef. He cast in his line, and
had hooked a fish, when, just as he landed it, on looking up for an
instant, he saw the canoe gliding towards the island. It was steering
for the point on which stood the cross, there could be no doubt about
that. He watched it eagerly, anxious to ascertain who was on board. If
they were savages, should he hide himself, and trust to their going away
again? "Yet even if they are savages, they will not hurt me," he said
to himself. "They will see at once that I cannot do them any harm. I
will run and meet them, and welcome them. That will be the best way, I
am sure. I will take a branch in my hand, and wave it as the natives
do, to show that I wish to be friendly with