eased day by day, and
threatened the most fatal results, unless some powerful means were
employed to counteract it. It seemed as if I were destined to sink under
this grievous affliction, or at least that it would hinder me from
availing myself of any opportunity of escaping from the valley.

An incident which occurred as nearly as I can estimate about three weeks
after the disappearance of Toby, convinced me that the natives, from some
reason or other, would interpose every possible obstacle to my leaving
them.

One morning there was no little excitement evinced by the people near my
abode, and which I soon discovered proceeded from a vague report that
boats had been seen at a great distance approaching the bay. Immediately
all was bustle and animation. It so happened that day that the pain I
suffered having somewhat abated, and feeling in much better spirits than
usual, I had complied with Kory-Kory's invitation to visit the chief
Mehevi at the place called the "Ti," which I have before described as
being situated within the precincts of the Taboo groves. These sacred
recesses were at no great distance from Marheyo's habitation, and lay
between it and the sea; the path that conducted to the beach passing
directly in front of the Ti, and thence skirting along the border of the
groves.

I was reposing upon the mats, within the sacred building, in company with
Mehevi and several other chiefs, when the announcement was first made. It
sent a thrill of joy through my whole frame;--perhaps Toby was about to
return. I rose at once to my feet, and my instinctive impulse was to hurry
down to the beach, equally regardless of the distance that separated me
from it, and of my disabled condition. As soon as Mehevi noticed the
effect the intelligence had produced upon me, and the impatience I
betrayed to reach the sea, his countenance assumed that inflexible
rigidity of expression which had so awed me on the afternoon of our
arrival at the house of Marheyo, As I was proceeding to leave the Ti, he
laid his hand upon my shoulder, and said gravely, "abo, abo" (wait, wait).
Solely intent upon the one thought that occupied my mind, and heedless of
his request, I was brushing past him, when suddenly he reassumed a tone of
authority, and told me to "moee" (sit down). Though struck by the
alteration in his demeanour, the excitement under which I laboured was too
strong to permit me to obey the unexpected command, and I was still
limping