trange indeed, and
to you, who know me really, must seem stranger. I do not say I am free
from the itch of meddling, but God knows this is no tempting job to
meddle in; I smile at picturesque circumstances like the Misi Mea
(_Monsieur Chose_ is the exact equivalent) correspondence, but the
business as a whole bores and revolts me. I do nothing and say nothing;
and then a day comes, and I say "this can go on no longer."

9.30 P.M.--The wretched native dilatoriness finds me out. News has just
come that we must embark at six to-morrow; I have divided the night in
watches, and hope to be called to-morrow at four and get under way by
five. It is a great chance if it be managed; but I have given directions
and lent my own clock to the boys, and hope the best. If I get called at
four we shall do it nicely. Good-night; I must turn in.

_May 3rd._--Well, we did get off by about 5.30, or, by'r lady! quarter
to six; myself on Donald, the huge grey cart-horse, with a ship-bag
across my saddle bow, Fanny on Musu and Belle on Jack. We were all
feeling pretty tired and sick, and I looked like heaven knows what on
the cart-horse: "death on the pale horse," I suggested--and young Hunt
the missionary, who met me to-day on the same charger, squinted up at my
perch and remarked, "There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft."
The boat was ready and we set off down the lagoon about seven, four
oars, and Talolo, my cook, steering.

_May 9th_ (_Monday anyway_).--And see what good resolutions came to!
Here is all this time past, and no speed made. Well, we got to Malie and
were received with the most friendly consideration by the rebel chief.
Belle and Fanny were obviously thought to be my two wives; they were
served their kava together, as were Mataafa and myself. Talolo utterly
broke down as interpreter; long speeches were made to me by Mataafa and
his orators, of which he could make nothing but they were "very much
surprised"--his way of pronouncing obliged--and as he could understand
nothing that fell from me except the same form of words, the dialogue
languished and all business had to be laid aside. We had kava,[42] and
then a dish of arrowroot; one end of the house was screened off for us
with a fine tapa, and we lay and slept, the three of us, heads and
tails, upon the mats till dinner. After dinner his illegitimate majesty
and myself had a walk, and talked as well as my twopenny Samoan would
admit. Then there was a dance to amus