164 ARRIVAL OF SHIPS. 
happy confidence in the protection and blessing 
of that gracious Lord, who has guided and pre- 
served them through the day. 
Guarded by Thee, I lay me down, 
My sweet repose to take ; 
For I through Thee securely sleep, 
Through Thee in safety wake. 
But if they are active and cheerful on common 
days, how great is their pleasure on descrying, 
from the "Look-out Ridge" of their sea-girt 
rock, a sail on the edge of the horizon ! and 
what a stir does the arrival of a ship cause 
among them! How different are the feelings 
of the present islanders from those which pos- 
sessed the inhabitants fifty or sixty years since ! 
Then they sought a place of concealment, when 
they perceived a vessel heave in view ; now 
they rejoice at the sight. 
A short account of the reception of a ship on 
their shores will interest the reader. 
It is customary for each family, in turn, to 
have the privilege of receiving as their guest 
the captain of any vessel, whether a man-of-war, 
or a whaler, which may happen to arrive. On 
her appearance sufficiently near, the master of 
the house, whose turn it is to be the host, goes 
off in a canoe, and, after satisfactory answers to 
questions as to the health of those on board, he 
ascends the ship's side ; the canoe, which is but 
a light affair, being quickly hauled up after 
him. Most important are these inquiries ; for if 
the small-pox, or any other infectious disorder, 
should find its way into the island, dreadful 
indeed would be the result. But when it is 
