’Then came one day of calm, when we all got our clothes dry, and the deck and rigging looked like an old clothes’ shop.  Then we got a fairish breeze; but we can get nothing in moderation.  Very soon it blew up into a strong breeze, and here we are lying to with a very heavy sea.  Landsmen would call it mountainous, I suppose.  I am tired, for I have had an anxious time; and we have had but one quiet night for an age, and then I slept from 9.30 P.M. to 7.30 A.M. continuously.  ’It may be that this is very good training for me.  Indeed it must give me more coolness and confidence.  I felt pleased as well as thankful when we made the exact point of Nengone that I had calculated upon, and at the exact time.’

On the 20th of June, Auckland harbour was safely attained; but the coming back without scholars did not make much of holiday time for their master, who was ready to give help to other clergymen whenever it might be needed, though, in fact, this desultory occupation always tried him most.

On the 25th of July he says:—­

‘I have had a sixty miles’ walk since I wrote last; some part of it over wild country.  I lost my way once or twice and got into some swamps, but I had my little pocket-compass.

’My first day was eighteen miles in pouring rain; no road, in your sense of the word; but a good warm room and tea at the end.  Next day on the move all day, by land and water, seeing settlers scattered about.  Third day, Sunday, services at two different places.  Fourth day, walk of some twenty-seven miles through unknown regions baptizing children at different places; and reaching, after divers adventures, a very hospitable resting-place at 8 p.m. in the dark.  Next day an easy walk into Auckland and Taurarua.  Yesterday, Sunday, very wet day.  Man-of-war gig came down for me at 9.15 A.M., took the service on board; 11 A.M.  St. Paul’s service; afternoon, hospital, a mile or so off; 6 P.M., St. Paul’s evening service; 8.30, arrived at Taurarua dripping.’

The same letter replies to one from home:—­

’I thank you, my dear father, for writing so fully about yourself, and especially, for seeing and stating so plainly your full conviction that I ought not to think of returning to England.  It would, as you say, humanly speaking, interfere most seriously with the prospects of the Mission.  Some dear friends write to me differently, but they don’t quite understand, as you have taken pains to do, what our position is out here; and they don’t see that my absence would involve great probable injury to the whole work.

’It is curious how few there are who know anything of New Zealand and Melanesia!