104 Letter IV. 
between the native in his natural condition and the native as in- 
fluenced by Christianity; for those in the church had a brightness 
of expression on their faces which seemed to make them totally 
different beings, quite irrespective of the clothes they wore 
and the paint that they didn’t wear. 
The building which has been occupied as a mission house 
was somewhat out of repair and the garden had all run wild, 
for no one has occupied the place since the death of Mr. 
McNair two years ago. Round this building we found barri- 
cades erected, in case of an attack on the place, which was 
threatened by the heathen natives a few months ago. Mr. 
Smith, head of the whaling establishment on the other side of 
the river, was for some time prepared for an invasion; but the 
Christian party mustering strong at Dillon’s Bay, the enemy 
were afraid, and kept out of the way. 
The Christian natives were naturally very much enraged. 
against those who had had anything to do with the murder of 
Mr. Gordon ; and a young chief, with three others, went right 
across the country, through the land of the heathen, for the 
purpose of avenging his death ; but being unable to get hold 
of the murderer, they shot several of the tribe to which he be- 
longed, and returned in safety to their own land. It is anative 
way of doing justice, certainly ; but one cannot help admiring 
the courage of the young fellows, as well as the spirit which 
prompted them to do this. 
In the afternoon several of us went for a stroll along the 
banks of the river. We passed the graves of Mr. and Mrs. 
Gordon and Mr. McNair, which were marked by simple 
mounds of stone plastered over with white coral lime. They 
are fenced in with reed fences, are situated under some 
lofty palms, and altogether have a peaceful and pleasing ap- 
pearance. 
