ented from landing at all; so I
got into the canoe, in which one native was sitting. The other was
getting the body to place in the canoe; but I said, "Not in this one, but
a larger one." So ashore I went, and hastened to the house. I
understood the captain to say that they attempted to take his life, and
this big man, armed with a large sugar-cane knife, was coming close up,
and he shot him dead. The captain's foot was frightfully cut. He had a
spear-head in his side, and several other wounds.

The principal people seemed friendly, and kept assuring us that all was
right, we should not be harmed. Great was the wailing when the body was
landed, and arms were up and down pretty frequently. Canoes began to
crowd in from the regions around. A man who has all along been very
friendly and kept close by us advised us strongly to leave during the
night, as, assuredly, when the war canoes from the different parts came
in, we should be murdered. Mrs. Chalmers decidedly opposed our leaving.
God would protect us. The vessel was too small, and not provisioned, and
to leave would be losing our position as well as endangering Teste and
East Cape. We came here for Christ's work, and He would protect us.

In the dusk, one of the crew came ashore, saying that the captain was
very ill, and wanted to go off to Murray Island. I could not go on
board, and leave them here. We consented to the vessel's leaving, and I
gave the lad some medicine for the captain, and asked him to send on
shore all he could spare in the way of beads, etc. I took all that was
necessary, and about half-past seven the vessel left. We were told we
should have to pay something to smooth over the trouble, which we were
quite willing to do. Late at night we had things ready. We had our
evening prayers in Rarotongan, reading Psalm xlvi., and feeling that God
was truly our refuge.

People were early about on the 30th. We gave the things which were
prepared, and they were accepted. The people from the settlement to
which the man belonged who was shot came to attack us, but the people
here ordered them back. Many people came in from islands and mainland. A
number of so-called chiefs tell us no one will injure us, and that we can
go on with our work. We thought it not well to have services out of
doors to-day, so held prayer-meetings in the house.

Great crowds came in from all round on the 31st, and many war canoes. The
people were extremely impude