110 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
allow myself to believe what you say.” ‘‘ Don’t 
be unbelieving,” replied Pati, ‘‘ wait till to- 
morrow, and you shall see.” The religion of 
Jesus Christ was the topic of conversation until 
they reached the settlement; when Pati took his 
leave, and Mr. Nott informed his colleagues of the 
success of his visit to the young chief of Huahine, 
and the determination which the priest of the dis- 
trict had made known to him. The impression 
which the intelligence of these events produced 
upon their minds, was that of mingled admiration, 
gratitude, and hope, to a degree that may be better 
imagined than expressed. ~ 
The arrival of the evening of the following day 
was awaited with an unusual agitation and excite- 
ment of feeling. Hope and fear alternately per- 
vaded the minds of the Missionaries and their 
pupils, with regard to the burning of the idols, and 
the consequent tumult, devastation, and bloodshed 
that might follow. The public adherents of Christi- 
anity were but few, (less than fifty,) and surrounded 
by jealous and cruel idolaters—who already began 
to wonder “‘ whereunto this thing might grow.” 
Patil, however, was faithful to his word. He, 
with his friends, had collected a quantity of fuel 
near the sea-beach; and, in the afternoon, the 
wood was split, and piled on a point of land in the 
western part of Papetoai, near the large national 
marae, or temple, in which he had officiated. 
The report of his intention had spread among the 
people of the district, and multitudes assembled to 
witness this daring act of impiety, or the sudden 
vengeance which they expected would fall upon 
the sacrilegious criminal. The Missionaries and 
their friends also attended. The varied emotions 
of hope and fear, of dread and expectation, with a 
