234 _ POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. | 
books you had to spare, and then we should have 
been obliged to return without any; therefore, 
after you left us last night, we determined not 
to go away till we had procured the books.” 
I called them into the printing-office, and, as soon 
as I could put the sheets together, gave them each 
a copy: they then requested two copies more, one 
for a mother, the other for a sister; for which they 
had brought payment. I gave these also. Each 
wrapped his book up ina piece of white native 
cloth, put it in his bosom, wished me good morn- 
ing, and without, I believe, eating or drinking, or 
calling on any person in the settlement, hastened 
to the beach, launched their canoe, hoisted their 
matting sail, and steered rejoicing to their native 
island. This is only one instance among many 
that occurred at the time, both at Afareaitu and 
Papetoai, exhibiting the ardent desire of the 
people in general to possess the Scriptures as soon 
as they could be prepared for them. They fre- 
quently expressed their apprehensions lest the 
number of the books should not be sufficient for 
those who were waiting; and have more than once 
told us, that the fear of being disappointed has 
often deprived them of sleep. 
Many were doubtless influenced by motives of | 
curiosity, others by a desire to possess an article 
of property now so highly esteemed by all parties, 
but many were certainly influenced by a desire to 
become more fully acquainted with the revelation 
God had made to man, and to read for them- 
Selves, in their own language, those truths that 
were able to make them “‘ wise unto salvation.” 
By some, after the first emotion of curiosity had 
subsided, the books were neglected; but by most 
they were carefully and regularly read, becoming 
