164 SOMU-SOMU. 



was opened by Mr. Hunt,) and demanded why their windows were 

 closed ? Mr. Hunt told him to keep out the sight as well as the smell 

 of the bodies that were cooking. The savage instantly rejoined, in 

 the presence of the missionaries' wives, that if it happened again, he 

 would knock them in the head and eat them. 



The missionaries were of opinion, that after these feasts, the chiefs 

 become more ferocious, and are often very troublesome. In the pre- 

 sent case, they attempted to bring accusations against the mission- 

 aries, that they might have a pretext for plundering them, but the 

 only fault they could find to complain of was, that they did not 

 receive presents. The missionaries' conduct was firm and decided, 

 telling them if they desired the property, they must take it by force. 

 This the natives seemed afraid to do, and after they were fully con- 

 vinced they could not intimidate them, showed a desire to become 

 friends. The missionaries then took them a present, which they 

 were glad to accept, and gave one in return, as a make-peace, since 

 which time they have lived in peace. 



I know of no situation so trying as this for ladies to live in, par- 

 ticularly when pleasing and well-informed, as we found those at 

 Somu-somu. 



The missionaries have made but slow advancement in their work, 

 and there is but little to be expected as long as the people remain under 

 their present chiefs, for they dare not do any thing but what they 

 allow them. All the chiefs seemed to look upon Christianity as a 

 change in which they had much to lose and little to gain. The old 

 chiefs, in particular, would often remark, that they were too old to 

 change their present for new gods, or to abandon what they considered 

 their duty to their people ; yet the chiefs generally desire the resi- 

 dence of missionaries among them. I was, therefore, anxious to know 

 why they entertained such a wish, when they had no desire for their 

 instruction. They acknowledged that it was to get presents, and 

 because it would bring vessels to their place, which would give them 

 opportunities of obtaining many desirable articles. 



The presents from the missionaries are small; but an axe, or 

 hatchet, or other articles of iron, are acquisitions, in their minds, 

 which their covetousness cannot forego the opportunity of obtaining. 

 They express themselves as perfectly willing that the missionaries 

 should worship their own spirit, but they do not allow any of the 

 natives to become proselytes, and none are made without their sanc- 

 tion, under fear of death. 



