inest
sandal-wood, and Harry determined to visit some of them, in order to
obtain a supply before returning home. He had, however, settled to call
first, as I have said, at the islands, where he hoped to be able to
purchase palm-oil.

The first we reached after this was very similar to those already
described. The natives, as we appeared, came off to the schooner in
their canoes, and invited us to enter a secure harbour into which they
offered to pilot her. Several of those who boarded us were dressed in
shirts, and one of them spoke a sufficient amount of English to make
himself understood. He said that two native missionaries were settled
on the island, and that all the inhabitants were Christians. They had
also, he added, a good quantity of palm-oil, of which they would be glad
to dispose. Harry, therefore, without hesitation, accepted their
invitation, and we brought up within the outer reef, at no great
distance from the shore.

None of the people now cared for the trinkets and other trumpery which
they formerly so greatly sought for, but desired to have cotton goods,
axes, knives, carpenters tools, fish-hooks, cooking utensils, and other
things required by a civilised community. They also asked for paper,
pens and ink, and copybooks. We had, unfortunately, no Bibles or other
books in their language, or we might have disposed of a good number, so
eager were they to procure them. They all behaved, when on board, in a
quiet and sedate manner, though they were evidently merry fellows, for
we saw them laughing and joking among themselves. Their huts were
larger and better built than any we had lately seen, and those we
visited were remarkably clean and tidy; yet one of the missionaries
whose acquaintance we had made, and who could speak a little English,
told us that the people a few years ago were as savage as any of those
in that part of the Pacific. We bought a dozen casks of palm-oil at a
fair price, calculating the value of the goods we gave in return. The
people said if we would come back they would have a further quantity
with which to supply us.

We warned them about the _Wasp_, and gave them a minute description of
her, so that should she appear they might avoid being entrapped. They
replied that they had heard of such vessels cruising about to carry off
the natives, but that none had visited their island, and that they had
therefore doubted of their existence. They thanked us much for warning