The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-05-03

dust about my person, beside three or four
hundred dollars in gold coin, | was COM
p!etely exhausted, and turned in for the
night (for night it began to be) under
cocoanut tree, where | slept soundly until
IL or l o'clock when awoke so stiff with
cold and sore from my bruises that I could
scarcely move. To my greatjoy discov-
cred fire about half mile 10 the west.
It proved to be a village of the natives
Kanakas) who on learning by signs) my
misfortune, stirred up fire, gave me some
boiled pork, bread-fruit, yaps and a varie-
ty of eating matter. After had disposed
of this turned in on some mats where |
slept soundly until sunrise when I arose.
"After had made my toilet, | was in
troduced to the chief of the village. He
is of high rank and much respected. His
name is Kanni, and he is related to the
King Of the Islands. He was very polite,
spoke English fuently, offered me house,
some land, and his daughter in marriage,
if | would live with his tribe and instruct
them, as far as [ was able, in the arts Of
civilization. thanked him for his offer
and told him TINT would think over the
matter.
'After this interview, went down to-
the beach, accompanied by party of the
natives, to look after the wreck, but moth
ing could be seen save the spar on which
| came ashore. When | discovered the
sad result of the storm sat down on the
beach and wept like child. had lost
the on Y friends that | have had since |
left my home. But tears are Of no avail,
so | made up my mind to bear it, and to
accept the offer of the chief and become
his son. | accordingly, on my return to
the village, informed the chief that |
would accept his offer. He Immediately
introduced me to the fair one. Her name
is Niaara (Mary.) She is Of light COP
per color, fourteen years old, feet 4 inch
es high, small hand and foot, black hair
and eyes, and above all very afectionate.
Her dress consisted of faded blue satin
skirt, coming no lower than the knee,
moccasins and leggings, and curiousy
wrought bead head dress. She was by
no means bashful and none too modest.
She sat on my knee and kissed me, and
when | asked her if she would marry me
she said yes without the slightest hesita-
ton, and expressed a wish that the ccre-
mony should take place on the following
Sunday, saying that missionary would
be there on that day. This | agreed to,
when she rewarded me with kiss, and
ran off to her father.
'The following day / visited the capital
and purchased the wedding dresses for
my lady and myself, together with some
presents for the tribe, and on Sunday tive
twain were made one fesh.'
'On Monday my father.in-law, at my
request. set several men at work ut gelting
out cocoa-nut logs to buill my house, and
in the course of ten days very substantial
dwelling, 10 feet front, 9 feet deep, and
25 feet high, was complaed. This is the
only building of the klnt in the village
all the others being built)f reeds and mud.
The chief is very muh pleased with
it, and hope that within a year the
whole village will be O log houses. |
have offered to furnish ares and all other
tools, and | think the nitives will build
themselves better houses
Il am perfectly conterted with my sit
uation, and think that mne is a peculiar
happy lot, after SO long astruggle with the
world-"poor as rat,'-sticking type for
living-to be cast ashore with a pocket
full Of rocks among frienlly savages, in
this lovely climate.
q am still good Wing, and if my Sec
ond girl turns out to be q boy, he shall be
called Henry Clay. BY the way, | think
Of agitating the project Of the annexation
of his Hawaain majesty's dominions to the
United States"