40

THE SHIP'S RETURN.

still said the word was good, but they themselves continued as bad as ever.

CHAPTER VI.

July, 1797.

MANY CURIOUS AND STRANGE THINGS THAT A

TRAVELLER REMARKED AS HE WALKED ROUND TAHITI.

THE ship had been gone about three months, when, early on the morning of July 6th, the missionaries heard a cry, "Ti pahi, Ti pahi!" which they knew meant, "The ship, The ship!"

They were much delighted, and, hastening out of the house, beheld the white sails of the ship at a little distance glistening in the sun., People who live in foreign countries are more pleased to see their countrymen than we can imagine.

The missionaries immediately went in boats to the ship. They were surprised to find that one of the missionaries (named Harris) who had intended to be left at some distant islands, was returned to live with them at Tahiti. He had not liked the wild people in the islands of the Marquesas, and had changed

DIVISION OF PROPERTY.

41

his mind, and had wished to return to Tahiti. It is not a good sign when people are so apt to change their minds.

The missionaries had a great deal to tell the captain and sailors, who were delighted to find that the Tahitians had not hurt the missionaries while the ship was absent. They also heard that Mrs. Henry had had a baby; so that now there were three little children in the missionaries' house.

Many natives also came to welcome their old friends; they had learned some more English sentences, and some of them said, "Welcome again; glad to see you, Captain Wilson."

The missionaries had not been idle during the ship's absence: they had not only built a blacksmith's shop, (as you have heard,) but also a printing-house for Mr. Lewis to print in, and a large boat. This boat had been made of a flat shape, that it might go up the river that flowed by the missionaries' house, (for the river was not deep enough for common boats.) The captain had a quantity of things on board for the missionaries; and he wished to give some to those at Tahiti, and to take the rest back to those he had left in the Friendly Islands. This boat would be useful in conveying the things to the missionaries' house.

Four missionaries were to come to the ship

to divide the things. These men were not covetous like the natives of Tahiti, and would not take even as much as their own share, though the things were such as they wanted exceedingly-axes, hammers, knives, and scissors, and other articles which could not be had at Tahiti. The captain saw that it would take a long while to divide the property; therefore he promised not to leave the island for three weeks.

Idia, you remember, was in disgrace with the missionaries. She now sent a message to ask them whether she might come to see them again. They were glad to see her pride was a little humbled; though they knew that probably her reason for wishing to be in favour was, that she might get more presents. They agreed that Mr. Cover should go to her, and see whether she expressed sorrow for having murdered her infant. He went, and as Idia said she was sorry, (though he feared she was not sincere,) he invited her to drink tea with his wife that evening. She came and remained till dark, and returned appearing much pleased with her visit.

On the next Sunday the missionaries went to the ship to preach to the sailors; and they were glad to find that none of the natives came there in their canoes during the day.

Captain Wilson was anxious to discover how

WILLIAM WILSON'S JOURNEY.

43

many people lived in Tahiti. You have heard that he had a nephew with him, called William Wilson. This young man he resolved to send round the island to inquire how many inhabitants there were. Tahiti is not a very large island. It is about forty miles long, so that in a few days a person can walk round it. You will perceive, by looking at the map, that its shape is singular, consisting of a large and a little piece of land joined together by a narrow piece called an isthmus.

The part where the missionaries lived, is at the north of the island. It is called Matavai, and there is a hill near it, called One-Tree Hill. As you know that there was no animal bigger than a pig in Tahiti, it was impossible for William Wilson to ride. He, however, took with him a man to carry him over the streams that he knew would often cross his path. Peter, the Swede, also accompanied him to interpret, and two men to carry linen and other things.

Four persons in all set out on the journey. No doubt you would like to hear what curious things they saw on their way, as well as what sort of persons they met with.

They set out from Matavai, and kept close by the eastern shore of the sea. High mountains lay on the other side all the way. These mountains, as well as the valleys below, were

44

THE BREAD-FRUIT TREE.

covered with beautiful trees. I will now describe to you the two principal trees that adorned the island. They were the breadfruit tree and the cocoa-nut tree, and their fruit was the principal food of the people.

The bread-fruit tree is a most beautiful tree; it resembles an oak in shape and size, but its leaves are darker and larger, and between them peep clusters of yellow fruit. Each fruit is about the size of a baby's head; the outside is rough and hard; when cut open, a soft white stuff is found, in taste like bread, only sweeter. The natives used to bake it in ovens before they ate it. But what do you think their ovens were? Holes that they dug in the ground. The natives first burnt some wood, then took the hot embers, and laid them in the hole; then placed leaves over them, and then slices of breadfruit, then more embers, then more leaves, and so on, till at last they covered up the hole with earth. When they wanted to eat, they dug up a little of the bread-fruit. The pigs also knew how to dig up these ovens, and, when they had taken out the smoking fruit in their snouts, would often run to the nearest stream, and dip it in to cool it. If these pigs in this respect seem as clever as men, the men were as greedy as pigs; for when the fruit was first ripe, they often made large ovens, and remained in their houses, wrapped up