im to do was to sail for
Sydney, whence a Queen's ship, the _Favourite_, was despatched to
endeavour to recover the remains, and to convey the tidings to Samoa.

By the 26th of February the vessel arrived. The war-conch was heard, and
the savages were seen flying in all directions; but, as there was no
intention of exacting a revenge, means of communication were at last
arranged, and it was discovered that these two good men had furnished a
cannibal feast, but that their skulls and many of their bones had been
preserved, and these were recovered and carried on board ship. The
Erromangans have always been an exceptionally treacherous and savage
race, and, even to the present day, are more hostile to white men, and
more addicted to cannibalism, than any of the other islanders.

The _Favourite_ then proceeded to Samoa, where the weeping and wailing of
the tender-hearted race was overwhelming. Mrs. Williams, in her silent
English sorrow, was made the centre of a multitude of frantic mourners.
"Aue kriamu, aue Viriamu, our father, our father! He has turned his face
from us! We shall never see him more! He that brought us the good word
of salvation is gone! Oh, cruel heathen, they knew not what they did.
How great a man they have destroyed!"

Such laments went on round the widow in the wild poetic language of the
poor Samoans, till the other teachers, by their prayers and sermons, had
produced a somewhat calmer tone; and the funeral took place beside the
chapel, attended by the officers and crew of the _Favourite_, and a great
concourse of natives.

"Alas, Viriamu!" was the cry in every Christian Polynesian island for
many a day; and well it might be, for, in spite of the shortcomings of a
poorly-educated ministry and a tropical and feeble race, there are few
who ever turned more men from darkness to light, from cannibal fury to
Christian love, than the Martyr of Erromango,--John Williams,--one of the
happiest of missionaries, in that to him was given the martyr's crown, in
the full tide of his success and hope.

CHAPTER X. ALLEN GARDINER, THE SAILOR MARTYR.

The biography we next have to turn to is not that of a founder, scarcely
that of a pioneer, but rather of a brave guerilla, whose efforts were
little availing because wanting in combination, and undirected, but who,
nevertheless, has left behind him a heart-thrilling name won by
unflinching self-devotion even unto death.

Allen Francis Gardiner, th