the roof projected a considerable distance beyond the walls, and was
supported by stout posts formed of the bread-fruit tree, tightly bound
to the rafters by ropes of sinnet.

After the conclusion of the hymn of praise--a sound unwonted in that
long benighted region, whose groves had hitherto echoed only with the
shouts and wild laughter of the savage heathens, as they performed their
barbarous rites, and the shrieks and groans of their victims--the pupils
grouped themselves round Mrs Liddiard on the mats with which the floor
was spread.

They were of various ages; some were children, others full grown young
women. All kept their eyes fixed on her attentively, as if anxious to
understand every word she said. Some were clothed in light cotton
dresses, their black hair neatly braided and ornamented with a few sweet
scented wild flowers, while others were habited in garments of native
cloth, formed from the paper mulberry tree.

By the side of Mrs Liddiard sat, on low stools, two young girls, whose
light complexions contrasted with that of their dark skinned sisters.
Though she spoke in the native language, the two English girls
understood her perfectly, and appeared to be as attentive as their
companions, and anxious to set a good example to the rest. One of them,
with black hair, called little Maud, who seemed to be about eleven years
old, had a grave expression of countenance; the other, Mrs Liddiard's
daughter Mary, was very like her mother, with light hair and blue eyes,
full of animation and intelligence.

On one side of the house the ground sloped away down to a beach seen
between the Pandanus and cocoanut trees, of fine white sand fringing a
calm lagoon of the deepest blue, beyond which appeared a long line of
foaming breakers, ever dashing against a coral reef, which extended
parallel with the coast as far as the eye could reach. On the other
side rose the steep sides of a range of rocky and picturesque mountains,
clothed to their summits with the richest and densest foliage,
numberless creepers climbing up the trees, and hanging from branch to
branch, while here and there, amid openings of the forest, several
sparkling cascades came rushing down from the far off heights, now
falling in sheets of glittering foam, now dashing from ledge to ledge,
and at length making their way into the lagoon.

Near the girls' school-house was a building of considerably larger
dimensions, and of much greater height, with n