’We saw a pleasant party at Bligh Island, brought away one young man from that island, and two lads belonging to a neighbouring small island called Eowa.  The next day we watered on the north side of Vanua Lava, and in the evening went across to Santa Maria.  Here we landed on the next day among two hundred or more people, shy and noisy.  We bought a few yams, and I detected some young fellows stealing from our little heap I would not overlook this, but the noticing it made them more suspicious that we meant to hurt them.  As the Bishop and I, after some twenty minutes, turned to rejoin the boat, the whole crowd bolted like a shot right and left into the bush.  Evidently they must have had some trading crew tire a parting shot in mere wantonness at them from their boat.  I expected some arrows to be shot at us; but they did not shoot any.

’The same evening (Saturday) we stood across the passage with a brisk breeze, and took up our party, consisting of five and including Sarawia and four others anciently noted as promising in appearance....

’We reached Mota (Sugar Loaf Island) in time to leave me for a night’s visit to the people.  I had time before the boat called next day at noon to see five or six of their villages.  People quite accustomed to expect me—­all most friendly, apparently pleased to be told that I would stop with them in the winter.  Seven scholars joined us here....

’At Mai, I slept in the house of Petere and Laure.  Things are promising.  It is quite ready for a missionary.  We brought away Moto, Pepeu, and the two young boys who were with me at Lifu, and very many wished to come.

’Thence we had a very long passage to Lifu.  John Cho is, I am thankful to say, very much better.  The two men from the London Missionary Society are on the island....  The Lifu people tell me that in the north of the island many are accepting the teaching of the two French priests.  William Martin Tahia and Chakham, a principal chief and old scholar, are with us.

’At Nengone, Wadrokala, George Simeona, and Harper Malo have come away for good....  We number thirty-nine Melanesians....  This is a long letter which will try your patience.

’Always, my dear Bishop,

’Affectionately yours,

‘J.  C. Patteson.’

Another long letter was written during this voyage to Mr. Edward Coleridge, a great portion of it on the expediency of the islands being taken under British protection, also much respecting the Church of New Zealand, which is scarcely relevant to the immediate subject, and only at the end is there anything more personal:—­