170 A MISSION TO VITI. 



mission performed, St. Christopher-like, the office of car- 

 rying our party across. Not being in a particular hurry 

 to get over, I was waiting until all had crossed, when this 

 fool came up to me with an oifer to take me to the op- 

 posite bank. I thought he might be up to some tricks, 

 and was rather on my guard. He landed me safely, but 

 I soon found that I had been sold nevertheless, my 

 white dress looking as if printed on. The colours he 

 had on his back had come off, and made me look almost 

 as comic as the fool himself. The natives thought it 

 an excellent joke, and when they saw me laughing as 

 much as they did, their merriment knew no bounds. 



On the following day (Sunday, August 26th) Mr. 

 Waterhouse, making the most of his opportunity, once 

 more addressed the people ;* in the afternoon, he, Co- 

 lonel Smythe, and Consul Pritchard left Namosi for 

 Navua, whilst I thought it best to remain behind in 

 order to explore the neighbourhood, and get a more inti- 

 mate acquaintance with these singular people. Kuru- 

 duadua again led the way, and this time took his visitors 

 the shorter of the two roads leading to Vuniwaivutuka. 

 They shot down the river rapidly, and on Monday, about 

 four P.M., reached the ' Pegasus,' and put at once to sea. 

 On the 30th of August they found themselves at Nadroga. 



* " On Sunday I preached on ' God now commandeth all men every- 

 where to repent,' to a congregation of about three hundred male adults, 

 all heathens, who listened very attentively and respectfully. Now and 

 then one or another would say aloud, ' Very good ; ' or, ' It's true.' 

 When I had concluded, I requested the audience to maintain perfect quiet- 

 ness for a few moments whilst I engaged in prayer to the true and only 

 God. They granted the favour, and not an individual made the slightest 

 disturbance. As I was leaving, one of the chiefs thanked me publicly 

 for my instruction." Waterhouse, in Wesley an Missionary Notices. 



