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A WEEK AT STRONG'S ISLAND.

BY L. H. GULICK, OF THE MICRONESIAN MISSION.

WE first distinctly saw the high lands of Strong's Island Saturday morning, August 21st. We were north-east from the island. Three small peaks appeared so far apart that it was difficult to resist the impression that more than one island was seen. But gradually, as we approached, the whole united into one. wind was light, and we advanced but slowly.

Our

Sunday morning we awoke with the island only fifteen or twenty miles distant. Every peak, and point and shore, and valley, were flooded with hues of deepest green. Such a perfect garment of vegetation I never before saw thrown over connected hills and valleys. In every landscape there is apt to be some break in the green-some rockiness or barrenness. But in this there was none. About 12 o clock Mr. Kirkland boarded us as a pilot. He informed us that King George yet lived. There were but two foreigners (whites) besides himself on the island. The islanders who came off in the boat interested us much, Their appearance was strikingly different from that of the Taritarians. Nearly all, both males and females, wore their hair long, and tied it in a knot on the back or side of the head. There was a something in their faces we immediately called Chinese; and I think a number of facts, which I hope in another place to collect, bespeak an origin allied to some division of the Chinese family. They, some of them, wore old ragged shirts, and all had maros.

About 4 P.M. we cast anchor in the weather harbour. Capt. Holdsworth went on shore to the king, to inform him of our character and purposes in visiting his island, and that as it was the Sabbath we did not wish

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to leave the vessel till the morrow. A number of natives came off, and loitered familiarly about our decks. Their intelligent activity was very different from the Kingsmill islanders. Their stature rather small than large. Their faces regular, and that which most suprised us, after all that we had heard of Strong's Islanders speaking English, was that so many understood the common sailor's English and spoke it with such distinctness. This was anything but Polynesian. And here let me say, that many, just about this seaport, have picked up a number of words, and a few are quite intelligent in the use of a sailor's broken lingo. It shows they have a facility for learning it not belonging to any islanders we have yet seen. It is this sort of English which the king himself speaks. But the great mass of the people, I am satisfied, cannot receive many ideas through the English, and a missionary to do much directly in saving souls, must learn their language. Besides, if he should, his influence among them will be tenfold increased, for no foreigner has yet taken this pains, so far as we can learn.

This Sabbath evening was a very pleasant one, as we lay enclosed on nearly every side with beautiful hills. The king's house, nearly on the beach, could be just seen through the trees, about a quarter of a mile dis tant. At six o'clock we called together all upon our decks, and offered our song of prayer and praise; after which, by request, all the natives left the vessel. It was probably the first time they had ever witnessed an act of Christian worship. Our minds were that evening occupied with interest on the question whether the king would allow the Gospel an entrance; for we knew that some of his foreign visitors had, at different times, endeavoured to prejudice his mind against missionaries. We were rejoiced to find that Mr. Kirkland, who evidently had more influence with the king than any other resident foreigner, was favorably

disposed towards us. It was arranged that on Monday morning we should visit the king.

The morning came. We prepared our presents, and landed with our whole missionary company. Capt. Holdsworth conducted us to the king and performed the act of introduction. He sat in the door of his house, and shook each by the hand as we advanced. We soon entered and took seats, some on chests and some on the cool, pleasant cane floor. There was not a single native about the house, and within there were only the king, queen, two youthful sons, a little granddaughter, and Mr. Kirkland. Instead of a confused babel, as we might have expected on a heathen shore, unknown and remote as Strong's Island, there was absolute silence. It was broken by Mr. Clark commencing a few words to the king. These he received with a pleasant smile, and with a frequent nod and accompanying "Yes," or "Yes, sir." Yes, sir." Our presents were given of shirts, blankets, and a few books; and Kamehameha's letter was read.

All this passed in pure English, though somewhat simplified; and that the king understood any considerable portion of it speaks much for his knowledge. Mr. Snow made a few definite requests, after which a number of cocoanuts were brought in. Mr. Kirkland informed us that the king had concluded to allow one of us to remain, and our hearts felt lighter. About two hours were spent in this interview, and I might, with great interest to myself, extend my account of it, for the whole of our future mission on this island seemed to lie in germ within these two hours. We were learned and being learned, for the penetrating eye of King George was constantly passing round upon us; and, as we had occasion afterwards to know, his discrimination of character is acute.

A pleasant conversation succeeded our formal addresses; and after a time we asked permission to look about on the novelties of the island. He first

conducted us about his own premises. These were surrounded by a large stone wall, and subdivided by high divisions of small reeds neatly tied together, and the whole ground was covered with mats or floors of the same material.

The houses of this island are most peculiar. With the exception of a few side posts and one or two cross bars, the timber used is that called at the Sandwich Is lands "the hau." It is the cabbage wood,or the Hibiscus. The thatching is of Pandanus leaves. The ridge pole crooks up at each end, so as to form a sort of saddle appearance, and the side roof projects much beyond the gable end; or, in other words, the end from the eaves upward has an inclination inward much greater than the side rafters, so that space which is usually within is here thrown without the house. This projection is probably so as to prevent leaking at the places of juncture, for they do not seem to possess the knack of finishing such edges to be water-tight. In the houses of the chiefs the cordage is very elaborately put on in stripes of white and black. The sides of the houses consist of flat sticks tied closely together one above the other. They are very neat, pleasant buildings, and some, especially the "cook houses," are large. I should, however, remark, that I am describing the houses of the nobility. The common people live in mere shanties, though a little after the same model. There is vastly greater difference between the higher and lower orders here in all their conditions and in their houses than in the Kingsmill islands. They are, an Strong's island, evidently subjects of a monarchy at Taritari they are much more of democrats.

In all their houses a large, square place is left in the centre as a fire place. In the cook houses of the chiefs this occupies a large spot. The cook houses are very important places. In them the food is cooked and prepared; and they are also places of assembly.

Every object was so replete with interest on Strong's Island, that I shall, I fear, be tempted to burden my narrative. I must, however, pass on. From the king's premises we walked through a forest of oranges, bread fruits, and banyanlike trees, with many other varieties of plants, entire strangers to our eyes, till we reached the residence of the king's oldest son, Kanker. As we passed along the wall of the king's yard, we were told, that according to their usual custom on the death of one of the family, the wall had all been pulled down, and built up higher. We saw, during this walk several of those structures so celebrated on this and Ascension Island. These, as we afterward learned from the king, were built by a former generation, principally for purposes of defence. have been reported as hewn, are more than prismatic basaltic rock. wonder most naturally solved!

The stones which evidently nothing Thus is the whole

We returned that afternoon to our vessel, filled with wonder and surprise at the goodness of God's providence. Without difficulty the king's mind had been inclined toward us; and before our second hour was completed-nay, before we had ever touched the shore-it was decided we might here proclaim the Gospel. Did ever the walls of Jericho fall with less effort!

The following day was a rainy one, and the king's visit to us was postponed. We, that evening, after long consultation and prayer, decided that Mr. Snow should occupy this station, while, if feasible, Mr. Sturges and myself would seek a home on Ascension Island. I do not know that I can or need, in this place, give all the reasons which induced us to divide our company, and go counter to the advice received very strongly from our Sandwich Island friends. But I am fully persuaded that the judgment of most would concur with ours were they on the ground, and able to see all the circumstances of both fields. We

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