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eigners are in the water!' But they moved not to my assistance; in fact, being themselves almost amphibious, and such accidents often occurring to them, they thought we were sporting among the waves; it never came into their heads that we could not swim! Mr. Tyerman, however, on looking back, and perceiving our plight, hastened to obtain a rope, which he and another person threw overboard; when one end falling across the canoe, within my reach, I eagerly grasped it, first with one hand, then with the other; but I had no sooner let go the canoe, expecting to be hoisted up into the ship, than down I sank close under its side. My instant thoughts were these:-they have dropped the rope without keeping hold of the other end; I shall now certainly be drawn under the vessel;-and thus I enter eternity! It is the will of God; and I commit myself to his mercy, in whose presence I must appear in a few moments! While these presentiments were rushing through my mind, suddenly I felt the rope tighten within my hands, for I continued to clasp it instinctively, though my head had already become confused, from the quantity of water which I had swallowed, and the horror of my natural feelings-though perfectly willing then and there to die, if such were the appointment of Providence. But a gracious power was present to preserve me, and happily I was hauled on board, when I speedily recovered to the delightful enjoyment and expression of gratitude and praise for this great deliverance. Mr. Wilson, who held by the after-part of the canoe, was rescued by some natives, who sprang from the ship into the sea as soon as they were aware of his actual danger. As for the woman and the boy, who had paddled us from shore, they swam about quite at their ease, till they could conveniently climb on board of the ship."

This evening, after our return to land, Mr. Nott related to us several particulars concerning the last battle of the last war-and may it ever be the last!-in this island; when Pomare, having professed himself a Christian, was opposed by a powerful idolatrous party, and overcame them, not less by his clemency after the conflict than by the prowess of himself and his followers in it. It was on the twelfth of November, 1815, that this decisive action was fought, and it was the Sabbath. Pomare had previously landed from Eimeo, with a considerable number of his faithful adherents, most of whom, like himself, had renounced the worship of idols; and

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with the force which he then mustered (about eight hundred, including those who had joined him in Tahiti), he hoped to be able to quell the insurrection and recover the sovereignty of this island. Mr. Nott, who had resided with him during his temporary exile, forewarned the king to be on his guard. during the Sabbath, while the army rested for the purposes of devotion, since it was probable that the enemy would seize that opportunity to attack him during the time of divine worship. Accordingly he commanded his people (as many as had the opportunity) to assemble armed, and to be prepared at any moment against surprise, but on no account to move except in obedience to his signals. Having planted their muskets on the outside of the building in which they were convened, at the hour of prayer, they entered upon the solemn service, but were soon interrupted by the cry, "it is war!—it is war!"-Pomare, who remained without, on a spot where he had an ample view of the neighborhood, having discovered a considerable body of the enemy, hastening in martial array towards the place where he and his people were met. He, however, maintained his presence of mind, and ordered that the singing should proceed, prayer should be made, and the whole duty of God's house be performed, unless actual hostilities were commenced before it could be concluded. This was done, when, under the dire necessity laid upon them, they rose from worship, and went forth to battle, resolved, in the spirit of the exhortation of Joab to Israel, to "be of good courage, and play the men for their people, and for the (cities) of their God;" content also to add, "the Lord do that which seemeth him good!" Thus they marched in several bands, one following another, to meet the foe. When the first troop had advanced some distance, a signal was given, whereupon they halted, and, falling down on their knees, implored divine protection, and success against the idolaters. They then went forward, and the second division, at the same place, bowed themselves on the ground in like manner, supplicating help from above; division after division followed the example, and thus, not with carnal weapons only, but with the most effectual missile from the armory of God-with "all prayer," they faced, they fought, and they discomfited, the rebels. One of the chief prophets of Oro, the god of war, animated the idolaters, promising them victory, the spoil of their antagonists, and the sole dominion of the island. The struggle was long, and

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fierce, and wavering in its issues, as the desultory conflicts of undisciplined combatants must be. While the foremost

warriors of the king's army were thus engaged with open breast, and arm to arm, against their desperate assailants, a corps of chosen men, defiling through a wood that flanked the field, emerged from thence in the critical juncture, and fell with irresistible impetuosity upon the rear of the latter, levelling and routing all before them. The chief commander of the idolaters was slain, and the intelligence of his death being rapidly communicated through the ranks of his followers, already broken, a panic seized them, and they fled in utter confusion to the mountains.

The prophet of Oro, among the most disheartened and terrified, sought refuge with the rest in the recesses of the interior. He has since declared that the power of Oro then forsook him the evil spirit went out of him, and never afterwards returned. Pomare's conquering bands were eager to pursue the fugitives and complete the victory, though they disavowed the purpose of destroying them. The king, however, interfered, and said, in a style of oriental magnificence, "The mountains are mine: follow not the vanquished thither! The motus (the low coral islets where the enemy had left their wives and children) are mine: let them alone there also. Proceed only along the open ways. Take no lives:-take nothing but the spoils which you find in the field or on the roads." The idolatrous prisoners were so affected by the king's lenity, and the forbearance of the victors generally having expected, as a matter of course, to be barbarously murdered in cold blood-that many of them immediately offered to join Pomare's army. These were magnanimously pardoned, and received into his service; so that, on that very day, idolaters who had fought for Oro and his priests united in rendering thanks to the only true God for the victory which the Christians had obtained. Others of the dispersed adversaries, when they saw and heard how differently the king acted on this great occasion from the inhuman usages of their country, gave themselves up at discretion, coming with their weapons in their hands, and words of peace on their lips. They were all made welcome. Thus ended that glorious day for Tahiti-glorious, not for Tahiti only, but for all the islands in the Pacific whither the gospel has subsequently been carried from that Zion in the West.

REBEL PRIEST OF ORO SPARED.

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On the evening of the battle, the aforementioned prophet of Oro stole down from his retreat to the beach, with one attendant only. There they seized a small canoe, and put off to sea; but the courage of the attendant failing, he flung himself into the water, at the reef, and swam on shore. The prophet, therefore, pursued his voyage alone, through the darkness of the night; and, by almost incredible exertions, reached Eimeo in safety. On landing he went and delivered himself up to the queen, whom Pomare had left behind under the care of Mr. Nott. The missionary was consulted as to what ought to be done with this strange and terrible being, who was known to be at once one of the most implacable of the king's enemies, and the most malignant of the opposers of Christianity. A hesitating word from Mr. Nott might have caused him to be massacred, without mercy, on the spot. "Let him live; do him no harm; give him food, said the Christian teacher; and his advice was obeyed. The humbled and astonished captive was overcome by such unexampled kindness; and, being allowed his liberty, he began to attend the school for adults: soon afterwards he made open profession of the faith of the gospel, and has thenceforward conducted himself as a sincere convert.

Such was the effect, upon the minds of the natives at large, of the clemency shown to the defeated rebels in Tahiti, that a spirit of prayer came upon the whole population; and the voice of penitence, of supplication, or thanksgiving, resounded at all hours of the day from the bushes, under cover of which the people-men, women, and children, socially or singly-retired to give utterance to their desires, their fears, or their exultation, under the conviction of sin, alarm at the judgments which they heard denounced by the new religion against the wicked, or their joy, hope, and peace in believing. The priests of Oro were maddened by this change, which they could not prevent; they threatened the king, the people, the missionaries, but their rage was impotence. Their idols could not save either themselves or their worshippers; all the former perished, and many of the latter turned from them to serve the living God.

VISIT TO BUNAAUIA.

CHAPTER VII.

Visit to Bunaauia-Maubuaa, or the Swine-owner-Man punished for Swearing—Return to Matavai-Coral-groves-King of Borabora's Solicitude to have a Missionary-Eagerness of the People to obtain Books-Anecdote of Pomare--Visit of Captain Walker-Simple Substitute for Bellows-Interview with Pomare-Sail to EimeoExamination of Candidates for Church-fellowship-Public Fast and Prayers for the King-Anecdote of Raiatean Affection towards a Missionary-Shaving Process-Singular Species of Crab-Native Generosity-Evils resulting from the Use of Stills-Taro-Plantation-The Hoop-Snake-A Court of Justice-First Burning of Idols.

Nov. 15. WE sailed coastwise, this afternoon, to Bunaauia, to visit the missionary station where Messrs. Darling and Bourne labor. By the way we touched, in our slight boat, upon many sunken rocks, which lie thick between the reef and the shore; but in every instance we escaped without injury.

We have been gratified with a sight of the printing-office, from which, besides portions of the scriptures, a translation of Dr. Watts's catechisms, and a complete edition of Tahitian hymns, have recently been issued. We afterwards proceeded to the chapel; it occupies a piece of ground formerly desecrated by a vast marae, of which there is yet a relic undestroyed-a memorial reminding beholders of what hath passed away, and from what thraldom the children have been delivered whose fathers Satan had bound, it may be through a series of ages, since these islands were first colonized by sinners, who, descended from Adam, "have gone in the way of Cain." The country hereabout is well cultivated, and proportionately fruitful. We were glad to see many dwellings in progress of erection upon the improved plan of wattling and plaster; having the interior divided into convenient family apartments. Proofs of industry and advancement in civilization were discernible every where, in the persons, the dress, the manners, and the habitations of the natives. Formerly the desultory, roving, and indolent habits of the whole population of these islands prevented them from taking any unnecessary pains to build their houses for permanent occupation. The provident and well-regulated modes of living, introduced with the gospel, have proved favorable to improvement in every way, and perhaps in