224 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
make no charge for the passage. It was a great temptation, 
but the thought of leaving the Fijian teachers alone among 
these desperate savages was more than the good missionary 
could bear, and much as he longed to see his loved ones 
again, he resolutely set his heart to stay, though he knew 
not when the next opportunity of reaching civilization would 
occur. 
Yet another visit was made to New Ireland before Cap- 
tain Hernsheim left the group. Accompanied by Mr. Blohm, 
at a wild spot where a big crowd of savages had collected, 
Mr. Brown and Mr. Blohm landed and went some distance 
inland. On returning to the beach, they were alarmed to 
find the natives all heavily armed and with spare bundles 
of spears. However, no resistance was offered them as 
they passed on to the beach and prepared to go aboard 
once more. There was no doubt about the cannibalism of 
the people, however, for practically every spear was pointed 
with human bones, and when Mr. Brown inquired about 
this of his interpreter, he was told in pidgin English: “Oh, 
man belong salt water he fight man belong bush. He eat 
him. He catch him bone he go belong spear. All same this 
fellow place.” This last sentence means, “Such is the cus- 
tom here.” Mr. Brown bought a large number of these 
bone-tipped spears, but unfortunately they were lost in the 
rough seas that were encountered on the return run to the 
mission station. 
As night fell over the wild scene, some of the party wanted 
to steam out to sea and lie to till morning, but Mr. Brown 
decided to remain at anchor and to keep a sharp lookout. 
It was fortunate that this was done, for during Mr. Brown’s 
watch, he suddenly became aware of a movement upon the 
dark water. At once he was all alert, and soon he was able 
to make out the shape of a canoe approaching. Immediately 
a second was to be observed stealing along over the water. 
Without further hesitation he challenged them and woke 
up his crew. Seeing their approach was discovered, the 
