Long ago the escort had returned with a terrible
tale, and they feared whether their husband could have lived through it
all. But he was now considered a veritable hero, to be sung in song and
shouted in dance. Friends gather round; he tells his tale; presents the
bird; the wives examine it, then the crowd of relatives. He afraid! oh
dear no! But he looked pale for a native, and no quantity of hoop-iron
would induce him to move from that platform and the side of those dear
wives that night. Enough for one day, one month, one year, so, "Good-
bye, Tamate; I shall be off in the morning to see you." Arriving on
board late, we were welcome: they feared we had been spirited away.

The following day we got round to Ellengowan Bay. After visiting all the
villages, I went right up to the head of the bay to see Silo and its
chief. The tide was very low, and after pulling the boat some distance
through mud we left her in charge of the two rowers, the mate and I going
to the village. He had hoop-iron cut in seven-inch lengths in his
pockets. The old chief received us graciously, and began giving me a
long story of what he wished to do in the way of pigs and food, if I
would only stay two days. It was a sickly looking hole, and not being
quite rid of fever, I hoped to get on board and away in an hour. A large
crowd gathered round, all under arms, very noisy, and certainly not
gentle. A slight scuffle took place, but was soon over. The mate missed
some of his hoop-iron, caught one young man with a piece, and took it
from him. The crowd increased. I told the chief I should prefer his
people unarmed, and not so noisy. He spoke to them, some put down their
clubs and spears; but they were hidden in the bush close by. We bade the
chief good-bye, but he expressed a great wish to see me in the boat.
Apparently with great carelessness, we made towards the beach, attended
by a noisy crowd, all arms now picked up. Remembering the difficulty we
had in landing, and knowing savages preferred killing out of their own
villages, hospitality having ended when friends left the precincts, I
determined not to have that crowd near the boat. I asked the chief to
send them back; but to him they would not listen, and still the noisy
crowd followed on. I shouted to them to return, and not come troubling
us, as we were getting into the boat. No use; on they followed, and the
boat they meant to visit. I stood still, and not feeling partic