UPOLU-MANONO-SAVAII. 97 



We left the Peacock at sunset, and reached Mr. Williams's snug 

 cottage about midnight. Nothing coidd be kinder than the welcome 

 he gave us ; and the pleasure he expressed at our visit soon made us 

 feel at home. He gave us supper, and provided us with comfortable 

 beds. Shortly after our arrival, another party was welcomed, con- 

 sisting of three ladies and a gentleman of the mission, who were in 

 like manner provided for, without apparent inconvenience. 



Mr. Williams seemed to me exactly what a missionary ought to 

 be, pious, cheerful, and meek, although resolute. His whole thoughts 

 seemed to be directed to the welfare of those whom he had under- 

 taken to enlighten. His views were pointed not only to the diffusion 

 of the gospel, but also to the extension of the useful arts, and what- 

 ever could tend to elevate the condition and eradicate the vices of the 

 natives. 



After a long consultation, Mr. Williams came to the conclusion 

 that there was no reason for fearing that the arrest of Opotuno 

 would be the cause of any injury to the whites or missionaries. He 

 said that Opotuno was a blood-thirsty fellow, and that it would be 

 doing the islands a great service should he be removed ; that there 

 was not a shadow of doubt that he had murdered twelve whites, of 

 whom several were Americans ; that he was a determined enemy to 

 the whites, and in the habit of saying that he would omit no oppor- 

 tunity of killing all who might come within his power. Mr. 

 Williams, however, doubted the success of any attempt to take 

 Opotuno, unless it was made under disguise ; for upon the approach 

 of all men-of-war, and during their stay, he lived in the mountains 

 of Savaii, where it was impossible to find him. 



The situation of Mr. Williams's cottage is pretty ; it stands within 

 a few rods of the beach, and is surrounded by a nicely dressed lawn, 

 on which are several fine trees; the background is filled up with 

 cocoa-nut, bread-fruit, and a variety of other trees. Near by is the 

 tiny ship-yard of his son, Mr. John Williams, who was taken by his 

 father to England, and there taught all the mechanical trades. He 

 has returned thence within a few months, with his wife, and by the 

 aid of a few natives has already built himself a vessel of about twenty- 

 five tons burden, which he proposes to employ in trading among 

 these islands. 



The next day we returned to Apia. On our way we stopped at 

 Sagana for the purpose of visiting Malietoa, the principal chief of the 

 Malo or conquering party. 



vol. ii. 25 



