inland looks low and unhealthy.

There are ten villages on the island, five of which we have visited.

After visiting the Keakaro and Aroma districts, our journeyings were
nearly brought to a sudden termination. When we got halfway between the
point next to McFarlane Harbour, and Mailu, where there is a boat
entrance, we saw the boat, and waved to them to approach. They came near
to the surf, but not near enough for us to get on board. The native of
Hula, from Maopa, got on board. The Hula boy got on board early in the
day, leaving us to go on alone. I called out to them to proceed to the
boat entrance at Mailu. Great numbers of natives were with us; we saw,
in the distance, numbers more sitting on the beach, and armed. Some of
those following us were armed. When within two miles of where the boat
was to await us, we came upon a crowd of men and women; the former
carried spears, clubs, or pieces of hard wood, used in opening cocoa
nuts; the women had clubs. Some time before this, I said to the teacher
and Loyalty islander, "Keep a good look-out; I fear there is mischief
here." When we came upon the last group, I asked for a cocoanut in
exchange for beads; the man was giving it to me, when a young man stepped
forward and sent him back. We hastened our steps, so as to get to the
village, where the strangers from Mailukolo and Kapumari might help us.
The teacher heard them discussing as to the best place for the attack;
and, not knowing that he knew what they said, he heard much that left no
doubt in our minds that murder was meant. I carried a satchel, which had
beads and hoop-iron in it; they tried to get it. I gave presents of
beads; some were indignantly returned. I was in front, between two men
with clubs, who kept telling me I was a bad man. I held their hands, and
kept them so that they could not use their clubs. The Loyalty islander
had a fowling-piece--thinking we might be away some days, and we might
have to shoot our dinners. They tried hard to get him to fire it off,
and twice tried to wrest it from him. They know what guns are, and with
reason. They tried to trip us; they jostled us. On we went.

Two men, when near the village, came close up behind me with large wooden
clubs, which were taken from them by two women, who ran off to the
village. Things looked black, and each of us prayed in silence to Him
who rules over the heathen. Soon a man came rushing along, seized the
club, and took