them, and promised to be on their guard. We advised them to be cautious
how they went on board any vessels before being acquainted with their
character.

The next island off which we called was also inhabited by Christian
natives, who supplied us with six casks of oil.

I have not space more minutely to describe the islands we touched at.
Wherever missionaries were established, there the people were more or
less civilised, industrious, and happy. They had not ventured to lay
aside their weapons altogether, as they might be required to defend
themselves against the nefarious proceedings of lawless white men; but
as soon as they found that we came to trade honestly with them, they put
them by, and mixed among us without the slightest sign of fear, not even
attempting to keep their women out of our sight.

When Mary and Fanny landed, the latter gathered round them, expressing
their wonder at their dresses and fair complexions, we felt indeed that
we were among friends who could be thoroughly trusted.

Having obtained as much palm-oil as we required, we now steered to the
south-west for Vavau, one of the Friendly Islands, of which the
civilised King George is the ruler. We made it early in the morning,
and, the wind being fair and the harbour easy of access, without waiting
for a pilot we stood on, having two small islands on the eastern side,
and a larger one to the westward. Vavau appeared of uniform height. At
first we did not see many signs of fertility or cultivation; the cliffs
rose abruptly from the sea without a fringing reef; but the water had
worn the coral rocks, which stand out from the shore, into the shape of
huge mushrooms on their stalks. When once we were inside, however,
signs of the most industrious cultivation showed themselves. The
country was covered with woods, looking like one vast garden, while from
every village came the sound of the mallet, used by the women in beating
out the native cloth. At a wharf not far off were several large double
canoes taking in cargoes for another port; beyond could be seen a number
of comfortable-looking houses. Numerous huts of smaller dimensions
peeped out from among the trees, while at some distance apart were
buildings of considerable size, which we afterwards found to be
churches. Altogether we felt that we had come to a civilised country.

Soon after we had dropped anchor, an old native gentleman came off in a
large canoe, and introduced himself a