afraid, expecting a raid, and at last news came in from Maiva that
Motumotu and Lese were making great preparations that they would visit
Motu, kill Tamate and Ruatoka, then attack right and left. Last year,
when leaving, they said they would return and pay off accounts, kill the
foreigners first, then all the natives they could get hold of.

Under these circumstances, I resolve to visit Motumotu, and beard the
lion in his den. I did not believe they would touch me, but I feared
they meant mischief to Kabadi and the coast villages. No time could be
lost, as we were in a bad month for rain and storms, and the coast line
is long and bad. The natives said it was too late, yet I resolved to try
it.

On the 5th January, 1881, we opened the new church at Port Moresby, and
baptised the first three New Guinea converts. The church was crowded,
and all seemed interested. I arranged for Piri and his wife to accompany
me to the Gulf, they taking the whale-boat. We cannot call at Kabadi on
our way down, as we must hurry on, but our natives here were going to
Kabadi, and gladly took the news.

On January 10, the flag flying on the boat told all that we were to
start. Our leader ran off to Kaili last night, but Huakonio, one of the
three baptised on the 5th, was willing to go. Our boat's crew were
considered fools, rushing into the arms of death. Wives, children, and
friends were gathered round weeping. The men said, "Cannot you see that
if Tamate lives we shall live, and if he is murdered we shall be
murdered? It is all right; we are going with him, and you will see us
back all right with sago and betel-nuts." Huakonio told me in the boat
that every means imaginable but physical force were used to prevent their
accompanying me; and he added, "We know it is all right; the Spirit that
has watched over you in the past" (naming the various journeys) "will do
so now; and if we return safe, won't the people be ashamed?"

We left Port Moresby about nine a.m. with a light head wind; outside
found the current very strong, setting easterly. We arrived at Boera at
four p.m., and found Piri and his wife ready to start at once. Piri has
a Boera crew, and we increased ours here by two. Here the natives did
not seem at all afraid, and many wished to accompany us.

On leaving Boera, it was a beautiful clear and moonlight night, and there
was a light land breeze. Pulling brought us to Varivara Islands, in
Redscar Bay, about two a