The native of
Hula, from Maopa, got on board. The Hula boy got on board early in the
day, leaving us to go on alone. I called out to them to proceed to the
boat entrance at Mailu. Great numbers of natives were with us; we saw,
in the distance, numbers more sitting on the beach, and armed. Some of
those following us were armed. When within two miles of where the boat
was to await us, we came upon a crowd of men and women; the former
carried spears, clubs, or pieces of hard wood, used in opening cocoa
nuts; the women had clubs. Some time before this, I said to the teacher
and Loyalty islander, "Keep a good look-out; I fear there is mischief
here." When we came upon the last group, I asked for a cocoanut in
exchange for beads; the man was giving it to me, when a young man stepped
forward and sent him back. We hastened our steps, so as to get to the
village, where the strangers from Mailukolo and Kapumari might help us.
The teacher heard them discussing as to the best place for the attack;
and, not knowing that he knew what they said, he heard much that left no
doubt in our minds that murder was meant.
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