152 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
It was in the year 1881, when a call was made to the 
Christians on Vaté for a teacher to go to the heathen island 
of Api, that a man and his wife volunteered to go. No pres- 
sure was brought to bear upon this couple to bring them to 
this decision, for the missionary was not present when they 
volunteered to undertake the work. This couple came from 
a part of the island called Eratap. At that time Mr. Annaud 
remarked concerning them: “When we recall how lately these 
people themselves were heathen, and how they were wont to 
treat those who first took them the gospel, we exclaim, “Be- 
hold what hath God wrought!’ It is only seven or eight 
years since the Eratap people determined to kill their own 
teacher, and banish the sound of the gospel from their isle. 
Now, one of these same people and his wife volunteer to 
encounter the same dangers and run the same risks that 
their earliest benefactors did, and this, too, that they may 
carry the light of life to a strange tribe, speaking a language 
unknown to them. 
“Soon after we called at Erakor, in September, the Eratap 
people arrived, having accompanied Kalisong and his wife 
(the new teacher) to see them safely embarked. When they 
came to the beach, an Erakor man spread out a sleeping mat 
on the ground, upon which to receive a contribution or a 
missionary collection on behalf of the young couple leaving. 
In a few minutes quite a fine parcel of useful goods, includ- 
ing a shirt or two, some calico, and several handkerchiefs, 
was given by the Erakor people. When all who wished to 
do so had contributed, the package was made up and placed 
in the boat. A general hand-shaking with the teacher and 
his wife followed, while we noticed tears on many cheeks, 
and when we left the shore, some of them waded out in the 
shallow water, waving farewells. Then the sound of general 
wailing arose and came to us over the water, as we glided 
swiftly out to sea; but soon the wailing died away in the 
distance, and we were left to meditate upon the power that 
had changed that man and woman sitting by our side from 
Os Sa ee ee 
