n Judson obtained the lime-juice for which he had come; indeed,
the Ajax had brought out a quantity on purpose to supply ships which
might require it. He then took his departure, and, whatever he might
have thought, the rest of the crew continued to grumble greatly at not
having been allowed to go on shore and amuse themselves, as they called
it, and expressed a hope that it was the last missionary island they
should touch at in their voyage.

The captain of the other whaler afterwards came on board. He was a
wiser man than Captain Judson. He said that he made a point of visiting
those islands where missionaries were established, as he was certain
that he could then trust the people, whereas among the heathen islands
he lived always in dread of having his boats' crews cut off, as had
happened to many others to his knowledge.

On leaving Raratonga, the Ajax bore away for Savage Island, or Niue.
Captain Cook describes the inhabitants as among the most savage of those
he encountered. As his boat drew near to the shore, they rushed down
towards him with the ferocity of wild boars to drive him away. In
consequence of the behaviour of the natives, he gave it the name of
Savage Island. Subsequent visitors, for many years after that, fully
confirmed the account he gave of the people.

The Ajax came off the island about five days after leaving Raratonga.
The two islands are about of an equal size, but in other respects are
very unlike each other, as the highest part of Savage Island is not more
than a hundred feet above the level of the sea. Instead of the savages
Captain Cook encountered, and those who, as late as 1846, would have
been on the coast, several canoes, with well-dressed, quiet-looking
natives, came off to the ship. They all wore sad countenances, for they
had indeed a tale of woe to tell. Captain Bertram inquired what had
happened to them.

"Sad, sad," answered the interpreter. "Early one morning a strange ship
appeared off the coast. We thought nothing of that, as many have come
and gone and brought missionaries to us, and others have called for
vegetables and other produce, for which they have paid. This one had no
flag to tell us whence she came, or what was her object in coming. As
soon as we had finished our usual morning prayer, several canoes put off
with fruits and vegetables to take to the strangers, and to learn what
else they required. Among those who went off were some of our leading
m