342 
Wild Life in Southern Seas. 
terror at seeing these things, and feared to 
remain longer on the ship ; so they went back 
again to talk together. 
For two days the ship lay outside, sailing 
to and fro, while Tati and the missionaries 
talked ; and then because he was filled with 
wonder at the cleverness of the white men and 
at the riches they possessed, he said, “ Teach me 
and my people this new religion. If it be 
stronger and better than that of our own gods, 
then shall I and my people hold to it.” 
The missionaries were pleased, and gave Tati 
many presents, and then knelt and prayed in 
his house ; but Matara the priest stood out¬ 
side and mocked them, till Tati bade him 
begone. 
It so happened that Hino had not yet been to 
the ship, for the boy Tairoa lay sick upon his 
mat with a wounded hand, moaning with pain, 
and for many days had she sat by his side 
watching him and bathing it with hot oil, 
for the wound had festered, and the arm was 
swelled to the shoulder. When the white men 
saw her sitting there they asked Tati what ailed 
the boy, and his mother showed them the child’s 
hand, and told them that as he had played at 
