Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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God would protect us. The vessel was too small, and not provisioned, and
to leave would be losing our position as well as endangering Teste and
East Cape. We came here for Christ's work, and He would protect us.
In the dusk, one of the crew came ashore, saying that the captain was
very ill, and wanted to go off to Murray Island. I could not go on
board, and leave them here. We consented to the vessel's leaving, and I
gave the lad some medicine for the captain, and asked him to send on
shore all he could spare in the way of beads, etc. I took all that was
necessary, and about half-past seven the vessel left. We were told we
should have to pay something to smooth over the trouble, which we were
quite willing to do. Late at night we had things ready. We had our
evening prayers in Rarotongan, reading Psalm xlvi., and feeling that God
was truly our refuge.
People were early about on the 30th. We gave the things which were
prepared, and they were accepted. The people from the settlement to
which the man belonged who was shot came to attack us, but the people
here ordered them back. Many people came in from islands and mainland. A
number of so-called chiefs tell us no one will injure us, and that we can
go on with our work. We thought it not well to have services out of
doors to-day, so held prayer-meetings in the house.
Great crowds came in from all round on the 31st, and many war canoes. The
people were extremely impudent, jumping the fence, and taking no heed of
what we said. One of the chief men of the settlement to which the man
who was shot belongs returned from Vaare (Teste Island). He seemed
friendly, and I gave him a present.
I had an invitation to attend a cannibal feast at one of the settlements.
Some said it would consist of two men and a child, others of five and a