ound ourselves the
center of conflict, one party set for killing us or driving us away; the
other wishing to retain us, while all old bitter grievances were also
dragged into their speeches.

Miaki and Nouka said, "If you will keep Missi and his Worship, take him
with you to your own land, for we will not have him to live at the
Harbor."

Ian, the great Inland Chief, rose in wrath and said, "On whose lands
does the Missi live, yours or ours? Who fight against the Worship and
all good, who are the thieves and murderers, who tell the lies, you or
we? We wish peace, but you will have war. We like Missi and the Worship,
but you hate them and say, 'Take him to your own land!' It is our land
on which he now lives; it is his own land which he bought from you, but
which our fathers sold Missi Turner long ago. The land was not yours to
sell; it was really ours. Your fathers stole it from us long ago by war;
but we would not have asked it back, had you not asked us to take Missi
away. Now we will defend him on it, and he will teach us and our people
in our own land!" So meeting after meeting broke into fiery speech, and
separated with many threats.

To the next great meeting I was invited, but did not go, contenting
myself with a message pleading that they should live at peace and on no
account go to war with each other. But Ian himself came for me. I said,
"Ian, I have told you my whole heart. Go not to that meeting. I will
rather leave the island or die, than see you going to war about me!"

He answered, "Missi, come with me, come now!"

I replied, "Ian, you are surely not taking me away to kill me? If you
are, my God will punish it."

His only reply was, "Follow me, follow me quickly."

I felt constrained to go. He strode on before me till we reached the
great village of his ancestors. His followers, armed largely with
muskets as well as native weapons, filled one half the Village Square or
dancing-ground. Miaki, Nouka, and their whole party sat in manifest
terror upon the other half. Marching into the center, he stood with me
by his side, and proudly looking round, exclaimed, "Missi, these are my
men and your friends! We are met to defend you and the Worship." Then
pointing across to the other side, he cried aloud, "These are your
enemies and ours! The enemies of the Worship, the disturbers of the
peace on Tanna! Missi, say the word, and the muskets of my men will
sweep all opposition away, and the Worship will spread