DEPARTURE FROM EIMEO. 163 
they would have written; yet the relief thus 
afforded is but trifling, compared with the pain 
resulting from the absence of more satisfactory 
communications. Notwithstanding the length of 
time we had often been without seeing an indivi¬ 
dual who spoke our native language, excepting in 
our own families, we would, in general, rather the 
vessel had not at that time arrived, than that such 
arrival should have brought us no intelligence. 
No disappointment, however, was experienced 
on the occasion, in connexion with which these 
remarks have been introduced. The Hope had 
brought a valuable supply of such articles as we 
needed ; and Mr. and Mrs. Hayward, in addition 
to the letters of which they were the bearers, 
afforded us much satisfaction by the accounts they 
gave of those of our friends whom they had seen. 
The communications from England required the 
united consideration of the Missionaries ; and this, 
with other engagements, detained us a week longer 
in Matavai. 
On the 4th of May, we took our leave. Heavy 
rains detained us at Papeete until nearly dark, but 
the weather clearing soon after sunset, we again 
launched our boat, and, being favoured with a fair 
wind, arrived in Eimeo before midnight. Anxious 
to reach Huahine by the Sabbath, the following 
being the week in which the Missionary anni¬ 
versary occurred, which was Saturday, we arose 
early the next morning, and prepared to depart: 
but the wind being westerly, was contrary, and 
prevented us. About six in the morning, how¬ 
ever, it changed to the north and eastward, and, 
continuing to blow steadily in that direction for 
an hour or two, we sailed from Eimeo about eight 
o'clock. 
