The Work. 15 
to pass from the mountain to the sea. The missionary pleaded 
ignorance—gave up his cocoanuts, promised to take no more 
coral, and agreed to leave a path open for the perambulations 
of the Natmases—a very wise mode of procedure, although it 
might have been construed into an admission of the reality of 
those beings. 
Another storm gathered round him a few months afterwards. 
A severe hurricane swept round the harbour, devastating the 
gardens and levelling the fruit trees. Thua—a neighbouring 
chief, a thunder-maker—was supposed to have caused the dis- 
aster. War was proclaimed against him, and the hostile tribes 
met to fight. Mr. Geddie resolved, if possible, to prevent 
bloodshed. It was a bold undertaking, but by God’s blessing 
he succeeded; and thus, for the first time, Peace was made 
on Aneityum—made, shall I not say, by the blood of the cross. 
Towards the close of that year (1849) Mr. Geddie was 
cheered by some faint rays of light shining through the dark- 
ness. About forty persons attended the Sabbath service ; fami- 
lies were beginning to worship God; a class of enquirers came 
weekly for instruction ; and three of the natives had volunteered 
to assist him in his journeys. 
He had, however, during the whole of that year, a hand-to- 
hand fight with the cruel customs of the people—in which 
he was often beaten—but not always: For example: Having 
heard that a married man was dying, he hastened to his 
house. He found a number of the wife’s relatives there, 
waiting to perform the horrid deed as soon as her husband 
breathed his last. After expostulating with them he returned 
home, leaving two or three friendly natives on watch.. When 
the man died the stranglers were going to begin their bloody 
work. Waihit—one of the watchers—calling upon his com- 
panions to be courageous, said to the heathen, “If you kill 
that woman we will kill you.” The men were overawed, and 
