92 UPOLU — MANONO — SAVAII. 



finished ; but the Flying-Fish, which was to have aided in performing 

 them, had not yet been seen or heard from. This was no small 

 disappointment, as it might compel me to bring the Vincennes into the 

 harbour, and thus incur a serious delay. 



Before I had decided upon this step, I learned that a chief of the 

 name of Opotuno, whose capture had been considered so important 

 by our government that a ship of war had been despatched for the 

 express purpose, had again become troublesome, and was threatening 

 vengeance upon all the whites who might fall in his power. I there- 

 fore determined to make an attempt to obtain possession of his person 

 by stratagem. Lest, however, such an attempt should create dis- 

 turbance in the island, or be productive of injury to the white residents, 

 I determined, before putting my purpose into effect, to have an inter- 

 view with the Rev. Mr. Williams, the principal missionary in these 

 islands, both to consult as to the best mode of accomplishing this 

 object, and to learn what effect it would be likely to have on the 

 operations of the missionaries.* I accordingly set out for his residence 

 at Fasetootai, about twenty miles to the westward of Apia, in the hope 

 of seeing him. Mr. Cunningham, H. B. M. Vice-consul, was kind 

 enough to accompany me. 



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

 cottage about midnight. Nothing could 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, consist- 

 ing 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 undertaken 

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

 gospel, but also to the extension of the useful arts, and whatever 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 



* Mr. Williams is the author of the well-known Polynesian Missionary Researches, and 

 it will be our melancholy office hereafter, to speak of his falling a martyr in his efforts to 

 propagate the gospel. 



