bloody rites which that superstition involved, but his
own condition of slavery would, in all probability, have been continued
and rendered permanent; for Big Chief and his men were numerous and
powerful enough to have held their own against the Raratongans, while,
at the same time, it was probable that he would have lost his master's
regard, as he would certainly have lost his respect.

He could not help reflecting, also, how much the cause of Christianity
must often suffer in consequence of the conduct of many seamen, calling
themselves Christians, who visit the South-Sea Islands, and lead
dissolute, abandoned lives while there. Some of these, he knew, brought
this discredit on the name of Jesus thoughtlessly, and would, perhaps,
be solemnised and sorry if they knew the terrible results of their
conduct; while others, he also knew, cared nothing for Christianity, or
for anything in the world except the gratification of their own selfish
desires.

While he was yet pondering these things, Big Chief advanced towards him,
and, taking him by the hand, led him into the centre of the concourse.
To his great surprise and confusion the tall chief said--

"Now, Jowin will palaver to you. He is one Breetish tar--one Christian.
He can tell us what we shall do."

Saying this, Big Chief sat down, and left Jarwin standing in the midst
scratching his head, and looking with extreme perplexity at the vast sea
of black faces and glittering eyes which were directed towards him.

"W'y, you know, old man, it ain't fair of you, this ain't," he said,
addressing himself to Big Chief; "you've took me all aback, like a white
squall. How d'ee s'pose that _I_ can tell 'ee wot to do? I ain't a
parson--no, not even a clerk, or a parish beadle!"

To this Big Chief vouchsafed no further reply than--"Palaver, you
Breetish tar!"

"Wery good," exclaimed Jarwin, turning round, and looking full at his
audience, while a bright smile lit up his sunburnt countenance, as if a
sudden idea had occurred to him, "I'll do my best to palaver. Here
goes, then, for a yarn."

Jarwin spoke, of course, in the native tongue, which we translate into
his own language.

"Big Chief, small chiefs, and niggers in general," he began, with a wave
of his right hand, "you've called on me for a speech. Good. I'm your
man, I'm a `Breetish tar,' as your great chief says truly--that's a
fact; an' I'm a Christian--I _hope_. God knows, I've sometimes my own
doubts as