that we should be given up to them. Mowno seemed more
displeased than alarmed at this intelligence, and earnestly repeated
that no harm should befall us while beneath his roof, if he had to lay
down his life in our defence. But Rokoa urged our immediate departure,
before the arrival of the party which he had seen. Mowno then offered
to accompany, and guide us to our boat, which Rokoa firmly declined, on
the ground that his presence might endanger him, and, in the excited and
determined mood of our enemies, could be no protection to us.

"We accordingly took a hurried leave of him, and Olla. `Good-bye,
Artua,' said the latter, `Olla will not forget what you have told her of
our great Father in the sky; she will ask him for a new heart that she
too, may go when she dies, to the Christian heaven,' and she pointed
upward, while a happy smile lighted up her intelligent, and, for the
moment, serious countenance.

"We sprang over the hedge, and, Rokoa leading the way, proceeded swiftly
but silently down the avenue. We passed some distance beyond the point
where we had struck into it in the morning, to avoid the neighbourhood
of the village, then turning towards the shore, descended into the
valley until we reached the stream. At this point, it was deep and
narrow, with a rapid current, but we had no time to look for a ford.
Cries and shouts on the hill above us, showed that we were pursued, and
a confused clamour from the village indicated the existence of some
unusual commotion there. Tum-tums were beating fiercely, and the long
dismal wail of the tuba-conch resounded through the echoing arches of
the forest. We swam the stream as silently as possible, Barton holding
his pistols above his head in one hand to keep the charges dry. As we
climbed the further bank, and plunged into the wood of miros, we could
hear the splashing of the water caused by persons fording the brook a
short distance below us, and opposite the village. In the same
direction a multitude of candle-nut torches gleamed through the foliage,
and revealed dusky forms hurrying hither and thither. We pushed on
through the wood at the top of our speed, until suddenly the outlines of
the marae, illuminated by the glare of a large bonfire, loomed up before
us. A score of half-naked men, were dancing around the fire in front of
the inclosure, with the wildest and most extravagant contortions of
body. Seen by the fitful and wavering light, their painted