an example--except that they had renounced the more horrible of their
heathen habits. They were in that unsettled state which is
peculiarly trying in the conversion of nations, when the old
authoritative customs have been overthrown, and the Christian rules
not established.

It was a good sign that the respect for the chief was not diminished.
One evening an English sailor (for there turned out to be three
whites on the island) who was employed in the sandal-wood trade was
in the house conversing with Tutoo, when Angadhohua interrupted him,
and he--in ignorance of the youth's rank--pushed him aside out of the
way. The excitement was great. A few years previously the offender
would have been killed on the spot, and as it was, it was only after
apology and explanation of his ignorance that he was allowed to go
free; but an escort was sent with him to a place twenty miles off
lest any one should endeavour to avenge the insult, not knowing it
had been forgiven.

Many of the customs of these Loyalty Isles are very unhealthy, and
the almost exclusive vegetable diet produced a low habit of body,
that showed itself in all manner of scrofulous diseases, especially
tumours, under which the sufferer wasted and died. Much of
Patteson's time was taken up by applications from these poor
creatures, who fancied him sure to heal them, and had hardly the
power, certainly not the will, to follow his advice.

Nor had he any authority. He only felt himself there on sufferance
till the promised deputation should come from Rarotonga from the
London Mission, to decide whether the island should be reserved by
them, or yielded to the Church. Meantime he says on Sunday:--