re is a young chief
among them who is more inclined than the rest of the people to be
friendly with my father," she observed. "Although he is a brave
warrior, he is neither fierce nor cruel; and if, by chance, any of the
white men have fallen into his power he may possibly have spared their
lives. I will try to send a message to him and ask him to protect them,
and to give them up to your father. Yet I fear there is very little
probability of any having escaped."

Lisele's answer gave me very little hope that any had escaped the
massacre; but I was sure that she would take every means to ascertain
the truth. Nanari, when he heard the account, was willing to go
himself, but both Abela and Lisele entreated him not to make the
attempt--urging that the heathens were so enraged at him for having
caused so many people to _lotu_, that they would be certain, should he
venture among them, to put him to death.

He at length was persuaded to abandon his design, and Lisele undertook
to send a young relative, who, although a heathen, was attached to her,
and would do whatever she desired. Being still a boy he had not
accompanied her father, but he was more likely to succeed than anybody
she could think of. In the course of the day Tofa, the lad of whom
Lisele spoke, made his appearance. He was a fine intelligent-looking
youth, and I could not help hoping that through the means of his cousin
he might be brought to know the truth. He seemed proud of the mission
given to him, though he was well aware of the danger he incurred.

"Tell Mafoa that if he really regards me as he professes, he will act
according to my wishes, and treat the white men as friends," said
Lisele. Mafoa was the young chief of whom she had spoken, and who, I
had no doubt, from this remark, entertained hopes of making her his
wife.

Recollecting that should any seamen have escaped, they would have a
difficulty in understanding young Tofa, I wrote a short note which I
hoped would prove of more service than the last I had sent, mentioning
the missionary station, and saying that we and the Christian natives
would gladly afford them all the assistance in our power. Several other
messages having been given to Tofa, he set off on his expedition; and we
kneeling down, offered up a prayer for his success.

Notwithstanding our anxiety, with the assistance of Lisele and Abela, we
held school as usual, while Nanari conducted the service in the chapel,
and instr