might rest secure from the storm. Still, humanly speaking, our
peril was fearful. The greatest skill and judgment were required to
guide a boat in a direct course across the tumultuous sea on which we
floated. But looking up at the calm countenance of the missionary, as
he called me to his side, I had no doubt about the result. On we flew.
On either side appeared those walls of foam; one narrow space alone was
to be seen where the waves rushed in unbroken by the resistance of the
reef. We mounted to the summit of a vast billow--it seemed as if it
were about to hurl us on the reef. In another instant we must be
struggling helplessly amid that foaming mass of water I heard a cry of
despair from more than one of my men. But no, the boat's head again
turned towards the opening, and gliding down the billow we dashed
through it, and saw on either side a comparatively smooth lagoon
extending between the reef and the shore. The sheet was immediately
hauled aft, and we ran along parallel with the beach in search of a
favourable place for landing. We could scarcely judge of the size of
the island, but we supposed it to be about three miles in length, and a
mile or two in width, but Mr Bent did not know its name nor the
character of its inhabitants.

The question now arose as to whether they were the treacherous savages
and cannibals most of the islanders of those seas were till the
introduction among them of Christianity, and would attempt our
destruction as soon as we landed, or whether they would receive us with
kindness and hospitality. As yet we had seen neither houses nor people;
but a smooth beach appearing, with a natural quay of rocks, we resolved
to land. We stood in towards the shore, and soon found a calm dock,
into which we ran the boat and secured her. With thankful hearts we
stepped on the dry land, when the missionary exclaimed, "Let us, dear
friends, return thanks to God for the merciful deliverance He has
vouchsafed us." Following his example, we all knelt in prayer, bursting
forth at the end in a hymn of thanksgiving. While we were thus engaged
a sound made me look up, and I saw emerging from among the cocoa-nut
trees a band of unclad Indians with long hair and beards, and armed with
spears, and bows, and clubs. That they were still savage heathens there
could be no doubt. However, as emerging from the wood they saw us
kneeling, they stopped, apparently watching us with the greatest
astonishment