Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-01-11

afv station, about twenty-five Mules
away, and IN order to shorten our walk
IL was decided that we be taken a lew
miles by boat. as our course lay along
the coast. Consequently we sailed from
Tuasiye point at a. m intending to 10
by boat about seven miles. but after sail.
ing little more than halt that distance
our boat ran aground, the tide being
out, 30 we were forced to land at the
village OF Lano, where elder Beck and
myself set out on our long tramp, tic
other brethren returning with the boat.
Each OF US packed lutte satchcl con
tanning lew books aud few indispcn.
sible articles OF light clothing. Amer
walking about three miles through
number ol villages, we reached the edge
Of the "bush." through which the dis
lance is about twelve miles. and there
arc no human habitation OF any descrip.
ton. Just as we entered that lonely
tract, rain storm opened It's fury upon
us, and Elder Beck suggested that we
strip ell all unnecessary clothing IN
order to keep u DRY, and put It on again
ailef the storm The suggestion, though
queer one Tor a man who had been
used TO put on an extra coat or two IN
order 10 keep dry in a rain storm, was
acted upon; and / am sure cur friends
Ia Uah would have paid something to
have seen US 10 our travelling costume.
And then We were richly alfred com.
pared to the native pedestrians whom
we met on the road. They were abso.
lutely nude, walking with their only
article OF clothing, yale vale" IN their
hands, but ON meeting us,they hufriedly
wrapped the article mentioned around
them only to take II of again as soon
as they had passed. pited their bare
feet, but they appeared TO be tougher
than my shoes, which gave out ON me
through their rough usage on the hard
aud sharpcdged volcanic rock that
abound all the way through tie bush.
In TACT, the whole tract Of country IS
nothing but an old lava bed or lava
flow, commencing Ia the mountains Tar
inland, where some terrible cupiions
took place Ia past ayes, and extending
clear TO the sea. Subsequently, trees
and shrubs took root In the cracks Of
the cooled lava, and hence the present
bush. The path leading through Il Is
narrow and winding. Horse back favei
is impossible. and a ioo,man has enough
to do In places TO scramble over the big
rocks and fallen timber. N1tWilhstand-
ing the rain, Il was not mify. One could
always find a rock TO place his foot upon,
aud ! believe that in walking the twelve
miles We never took a step without
either putting a loot upon a rock or up.
on roots, or fallen trees. There is no
soil here either to make mire or dust.
On the long, drcary walk we only
emerged from the bush once, aud that
was to an opening on the rock bound
seacoast where the waves beat Them.
selves TO foam and spray against the
perpendicular walls constituting the
coast. No sandy beach At this point TO
blend sea aud land gently together.
Well, We got through at last, and then
we found ourselves in Catholic village,
where we entered native house ana
sat down TO rest. which is the custom
OF the country. An old woman placed
food and water before Us, OF which we
parlook, while eating the one halt of a
loaf OF bread which we had carried with
us that far For the other half we In.
duced boy to climb tree and get Us
some young cocoa-nuts. which We then
opened and drank the milk. AS we
were very thirsty this tasted very good
indeed. ! am sure the veterans OF Salt
Lake City don't drink lemonade on Old
Folks day with greater relish than we
drank our cocoa.nut milk in the village
Of lealatele. Aner resting a little, We
tackled the last six miles vi our journey
IL led through a number OF villages; al
length we reached our destination, and
surpriled Elders Christian Jensen, IT,,
and James {. Knudsen at Saleaula by
suddenly appearing in their midst as
Lao as.0
a class OF boys and girls some OF the
rudiments OF an English education in
the meeting house. The meeting was a
happy one, and our brethren gave US a
hearty welcome, as also the native SAINTS
who dropped in one by one, and few
at the time, TO see us and greet us with
their usyal taloia. Elder Beck and |
had already walked twenty.one miles
over tue toughest road imaginable dur.
ing the day; but In order to convince
ourselves and our friends that we were
not tired we walked one and half
miles further to a small river where we
took a refreshing bath. When We had
Tetraced our steps to the meeting house
had to admit that was tired. very
tired, and needed rest. had waited
Tor Brother Beck TO say that first; but he
wouldn't or didn't. hated to give up
hrst. The natives now brought us some
splendid food which was spread for us
on the floor; and we ate ill we were
filled and enjoyed the meal immensely.
The next ON the program was an even.
ing meeting. Nearly all the people OF
the village gathered, about $50 IN mum
her. The little house was filed to over.
flowing and many were unable to gain
admittance. My sermon was ably trans.
lated by Elder Beck; and we had
splendid time. Aiter the meeting six
native girls entertained Us with an ex-
hibiiion OF their peculiar silva" dance
and some singing, followed by the same
number OF boys. To me. who saw and
heard this for the first time, It was very
interesting, and many OF their move.
menis were truly graceful.
Saleaula is one OF the principal
missionary stations in the Samoan
mission. Among the members OF the
Church here, there are a number OF
leading aud influential chiefs; the meet.
lngs and Sunday schools are well atten-
ded, and also the day school. Strenuous
Efforts are being made by the Elders
laboring here to teach the young the
Gospel and keep them In the paths OF
virtue. In order TO guard and protect
them, about dozen hali-gTown bows
sleep with the brethren in the meeting
house, After conversing ill late hour
we retired to forget our long walk and
to dream OF our loved ones In Zion.
Tuesday, September 18TH. This day
WAS uleagantiv gDent M Galaoula ~.