’I sent Bice on in the “Southern Cross,” as he ought to see something of his brethren’s work in the north and west.  I had just a month at Mota, very interesting.

’I hope to spend three weeks more at Mota, if this New Hebrides trip is safely accomplished, and to baptize the rest of the children, and probably some ten or fifteen adults.  All seem thoroughly in earnest.  Some of the first scholars, who for years have seemed indifferent, are now among my class of thirty-three adults.  It would be too long a story to tell you of their frequent private conversations, their stories, their private prayers, their expressions of earnest thankfulness that they are being led into the light.

’Some of the women, wives of the men, are hopeful.  George’s old mother said to me, “My boys are gone; George, Woleg, Wogale—­Lehna died a Christian; Wowetaraka (the first-born) is going.  I must follow.  I listen to it all, and believe it all.  When you think fit, I must join you,” i.e. be baptized.

’It is very comforting that all the old party from the beginning are directly (of course indirectly also) connected with this movement.  Some of those most in earnest now came under the influence of the early workers, Dudley, Mr. Pritt, &c.

’We need this comfort.

’From Mota some thirty or more have gone or been taken away, but the other islands are almost depopulated.  Mr. Thurston, late Acting Consul in Fiji, was at Mota the other day seeking labourers.  He says that about 3,000 natives from Tanna and Uvaparapara are now in Fiji, and Queensland has almost as many.

’He admits that much kidnapping goes on.  He, with all his advantages of personal acquaintance with the people and with native interpreters on board, could only get about thirty.  Another, Captain Weston, a respectable man who would not kidnap, cruised for some weeks, and left for Fiji without a single native on board.  How then do others obtain seventy or one hundred more?

’But the majority of the Fiji settlers, I am assured, do not like these kidnapping practices, and would prefer some honest way of obtaining men.  Indeed, many natives go voluntarily.

’In the Solomon Isles a steamer has been at Savo and other places, trying to get men.

’Three or four of these vessels called at Mota while I was there.  On one day three were in sight.  They told me they were shot at at Whitsuntide, Sta.  Maria, Vanua Lava, &c.  And, indeed, I am obliged to be very careful, more so than at any time; and here, in the North Hebrides, I never know what may happen, though of course in many places they know me.

’We are now at our maximum point of dispersion:  Brooke at Anudha, J. Atkin at or near San Cristoval, Gr.  Sarawia at Mota, B——­ at Santa Maria, Bice at Leper’s Island, Codrington at Norfolk Island, I on board “Southern Cross.”

’Leper’s Island is very pleasant; I longed to stay there.  All the people wanting to come with us, and already discriminating between us and the other white visitors, who seem to have had little or no success there.