One morning, the Tannese, rushing towards me in great excitement, cried,—
“Missi, Missi, there is a God, or a ship on fire, or something of fear, coming over the sea! We see no flames, but it smokes like a volcano. Is it a Spirit, God, or a ship on fire? What is it? what is it?”
One party after another followed in quick succession, shouting the same questions, in great alarm, to which I replied,—
“I cannot go at once; I must dress first in my best clothes; it will likely be one of Queen Victoria’s Men-of-war, coming to ask of me if your conduct is good or bad, if you are stealing my property, or threatening my life, or how you are using me?”
They pled with me to go and see it; but I made much fuss about dressing and getting ready to meet the great Chief on the vessel, and would not go with them. The two principal Chiefs now came running and asked,—
[Illustration: NATIVES RETURNING STOLEN PROPERTY—]
“Missi, will it be a ship of war?”
I called to them, “I think it will; but I have no time to speak to you now, I must get on my best clothes!”
They said, “Missi, only tell us, will he ask you if we have been stealing your things?”
I answered, “I expect he will.”
They asked, “And will you tell him?”
I said, “I must tell him the truth; if he asks, I will tell him.”
They then cried out, “Oh, Missi, tell him not! Everything shall be brought back to you at once, and no one will be allowed again to steal from you.”
Then said I, “Be quick! Everything must be returned before he comes. Away, away! and let me get ready to meet the great Chief on the Man-of-war.”
Hitherto, no thief could ever be found, and no Chief had power to cause anything to be restored to me; but now, in an incredibly brief space of time, one came running to the Mission House with a pot, another with a pan, another with a blanket, others with knives, forks, plates, and all sorts of stolen property. The Chiefs called me to receive these things, but I replied,—
“Lay them all down at the door, bring everything together quickly; I have no time to speak with you!”
I delayed my toilet, enjoying mischievously the magical effect of an approaching vessel that might bring penalty to thieves. At last the Chiefs, running in breathless haste, called out to me,—
“Missi, Missi, do tell us, is the stolen property all here?”
Of course I could not tell, but, running out, I looked on the promiscuous heap of my belongings, and said,—
“I don’t see the lid of the kettle there yet!”
One Chief said, “No, Missi, for it is on the other side of the island; but tell him not, I have sent for it, and it will be here to-morrow.”
I answered, “I am glad you have brought back so much; and now, if you three Chiefs, Nauka, Miaki, and Nowar, do not run away when he comes, he will not likely punish you; but, if you and your people run away, he will ask me why you are afraid and I will be forced to tell him! Keep near me and you are all safe; only there must be no more stealing from me.”
They said, “We are in black fear, but we will keep near you, and our bad conduct to you is done.”
The charm and joy of that morning are fresh to me still, when H.M.S. _Cordelia_, Captain Vernon, steamed into our lovely Harbour. The Commander, having heard rumour of my dangers on Tanna, kindly came on shore as soon as the ship cast anchor, with two boats, and a number of his officers and men, so far armed. He was dressed in splendid uniform, being a tall and handsome man, and he and his attendants made a grand and imposing show. On seeing Captain Vernon’s boat nearing the shore, and the men glittering in gold lace and arms, Miaki the Chief left my side on the beach and rushed towards his village. I concluded that he had run for it through terror, but he had other and more civilized intentions in his heathen head! Having obtained, from some trader or visitor in previous days, a soldier’s old red coat, he had resolved to rise to the occasion and appear in his best before the Captain and his men. As I was shaking hands with them and welcoming them to Tanna, Miaki returned with the short red coat on, buttoned tightly round his otherwise naked body; and, surmounted by his ugly painted face and long whipcords of twisted hair, it completely spoiled any appearance that he might otherwise have had of savage freedom, and made him look a dirty and insignificant creature.