y would return me. I went
with them, and was well received by all the people at the settlement,
where I spent some hours. On the 21st of December, the _Mayri_ returned
from East Cape, and reported that all were sick, but that the people were
very friendly and kind to teachers. Anxious to keep the vessel employed,
and to prepare the way for landing teachers, I resolved to visit a
settlement on the mainland at deadly feud with this people. The people
here tried hard to dissuade me from going, telling me that, as I stayed
with them, my head would be cut off. Seeing me determined to go, they
brought skulls, saying, mine would be like that, to adorn their enemies'
war canoe, or hang outside the chief's house. Feeling sure that they did
not wish me to go because they were afraid the hoop-iron, the knives,
axes, beads, and cloth might also be distributed on the other side, I
told them I must go; so they left me to my fate.

I took the teacher with me that I hoped to leave there. We were received
very kindly by the people. They led us inland, to show us there was
water, and when we got back to the seaside they regaled us with sugar-
cane and cocoanuts. They then told us that they did not live at the
village, but at the next, and merely came here for food. We then got
into a canoe, and were paddled up to the other village, where a great
crowd assembled, and where we publicly gave the chiefs our presents. They
danced with delight, and told the teacher not to be long until he came to
reside with them.

On our return we thought our friends seemed disappointed. We had
suffered no harm; however, as I had been unwell for some days, and felt
worse on the day following my trip, they felt comforted, and assured me
it was because of our visiting Tepauri. We had several things stolen,
and amongst other things a camp oven, which we miss much. Yet these are
things which must be borne, and we can hope that some day their stealing
propensities will change. From a very unexpected source, and in a very
unexpected manner, the whole prospects of this eastern mission seemed all
at once to be upset. I do not think I can do better than extract my
journal for the next few days.

_December_ 29_th_.--About twelve o'clock three lads from the _Mayri_ came
ashore to cut firewood. One of them came to me, saying, "I 'fraid, sir,
our captain he too fast with natives. One big fellow he come on board,
and he sit down below. Captain he tell