The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-07-23
HER LAST CRUISE
Harry SWinton Continues
His Narrative.
Work of the Missionary Teach
erS at South Sea
Islands.

Early next morning made land, bear
ing southeast from US, some 10 miles
away. An hour later, started the en-
CINE, as the wind was somewhat light.
We had to go to the leeward of the
island Cthe west end), wind being we'll
to the eastward. Had to beat up to
the passage into the lagoon, which took
us till II a. M, January Sd, to make
it, Entered lagoon and came to an
anchor, 1870 p. m, off the mission sta
ton
The King of this island is q young
man of only IA summers. Notwith-
standing his tender years, he has in
the neighborhood of 20 or more wives.
This is as near as I could learn. The
old King. who died a year or two ago,
left him as a legacy his concubines-
some 35 or more-to be added to the
number.
Were not anchored there long before
the teacher made his appearance on
board. Several canoes came alongside
with various articles for sale. AS this
is quite a large and fertile island, Mr..
Channon wanted two stations here. In
fact, he would have had that number
there two or three years ago il he
could have gotten permission from the
old King. For a long time he would
not allow any missionary on his ISL
and but sometime before he died, he
consented to having a teacher landed
there.
This year Mr.. Channon concluded to
see the young King and get permits
sion from him to have teacher land
ed at his village. For that reason we
weighed anchor the next day, steamed
up to his village and dropped anchor
abreast of his residence. Lowered the
boat and sent in as a delegate native
of the island, who came on board at
the mission station. This man is also
Deputy Governor of the place, having
been promoted to that position by the
British Commissioner. He seems to be
a man of more than ordinary ability.
The teacher we brought from Butari
tart also accompanied him.
After waiting a couple of hours, we
saw the boat leaving the beach with
His Young Majesty on board. At the
same time we could see another boat
coming. Found out later that people in
this boat were His Majesty's advisers
All were dressed in native fashion,
with "paus' on. Arriving on board,
Mr.. Channon took the King down into
the cabin to talk over matters with
him ia reference to a second teacher
being left on the island. His advisers,
who came in the second boat, were not
allowed to go into the cabin during the
consultation, as Mr.. Channon and Mr..
Walkup deemed it necessary not to do
So They knew we'll enough if they
were allowed in the consultation they
would easily influence the King not
to allow any more teachers on the
island. These four men who came off
in the shore boat were a hard lot of
citizens. This was especially true of
one-a tall, lanky fierce-looking Gus
toner, with bushy hair standing up on
his head like the quilts on a pOrcupine.
l was told by one of the school boys
that he was the head dancing mas
ter of the royal household. Taking a
bird's-eye view of him, l could not
help thinking that he would not be
the person one would like to meet
ashore in some lonely place, for fear
of an accident.
He and his companions seemed very
uneasy on deck while the consultation
was going on below. They walked the
deck forward and back, occasionally
looking down into the cabin through
the skylight, and muttering something.
inaudibls-
I tried once or twice to enter into a
conversation with them, but all l could
get out of them was: 'Akea ararei,'
"Akea ararei,' and something else I
could not make out. After the consul
tation was over in the cabin, Mrs
Channon called the school girls togeth-
er to sing hymns, she leading and play
ing the organ. 1t was quite treat to
His Majesty, and to judge by his looks,
he was fairly captivated by the sing
ing. This was no wonder, for the chill
dren have splendid voices. Singing
over, all went on deck. Mr.. Channon
had gained his point, and a teacher
was to be left with him at his village
He had promised to provide house
and food for him and to see that he
was not molested.
When the four advisers found out
what the results of the consultation
were, they were not pleased, and show
ed very plainly by their looks what
they felt inwardIy. However, Mr..
Channon, or somebody else, invited
them below to hear the girls and boys
sing. This they did reluctantly. but
after they came on deck again, they all |
appeared to be in better mood think
ing, Il suppose, if the teacher to be |
landed there could teach their wives |
and daughters to sing as we'll as the |
school girls, it would not be a bad bar |
gain, after all.
1t was decided that the teacher and |
his wife we took on board in Butari-
tart were to be left there. The man
goes by the name Of Tank" He seems
to be very able fellow, and just the
right man for the place. I cannot say
IS much for his wife. She was in Ho-
lolulu some two or three years ago.
having come up in the Morning Star as
nurse for Mrs. Garland's babies. She
returned to her island home on the
Nfr,r. 20 v-nrr