When off Jokea, men, women, and children all came on to the beach,
and also by name begged of us to land. We would have done so here, but
the sea was too high, breaking with great force on the fringing reef.
Several canoes put off, but only one succeeded in reaching us. They
begged of us to call on our return, and let them know the result of our
visit, and said we had better also visit Lese. They think our visit will
put all straight. Motumotu, they say, is very undecided as to what to
do, but having heard that I was to visit them, put off the decision for
some time, saying, "If he comes, it will be all right, and we shall have
peace, but--" Well, they did not know. They rub noses all round, and
make for the shore, we for the harbour at the mouth of Coombes River, but
a very heavy sea running in, we prefer anchoring outside at midnight.
By five a.m. up anchor, and away to Lese. Two Naima canoes returning
from Lolo, where they had been trying to get _uros_, passed close to us.
They also are glad of the likelihood of peace and _uros_.
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