After all, I did not sleep long, for I woke to see such lovely moonlight that I crept out of my corner made of mats and my old green plaid, and went out to sit alone by the brink of the great waters, and watched the earliest lights before dawn. Now all are astir, and we are just starting. * * * * * CAPTAIN BARRACK’S HOUSE, SAVU SAVU, VANUA LEVU, _August 22, 1876_. I have been here for some days greatly enjoying the blessings of the land, and this most lovely scenery. We left Ni Soni Soni at dawn on the 17th, purposing to make the isle of Taviuni, but finding the wind fair for Levuka, steered for that port. Another change of wind put a stop to that, and we could make but little way. After a weary day of beating, we succeeded in nearing the small uninhabited isle of Namena. Tempted by the lovely foliage which overhung the white sands and drooped right over the water, we landed in search of some shelter which might act as sleeping-quarters. After a long hunt, during which I cut my boots to pieces on the rocky coral shore, we found a slightly projecting rock—a poor shelter, but better than the hard deck. So we brought our mats and pillows ashore and made nests for ourselves by the light of the blazing fires at which the students did their cooking. Of course they were as much delighted as ourselves to escape the night on board, and their presence lent human interest to the scene, as they gathered in picturesque groups round the fires, or knelt together in evening prayer. The night proved tolerably fine, only a few heavy showers, which shot off the rock just past our toes, so we were quite dry. And you know in these favoured isles we have no fear of snakes or other noxious creatures; so we slept in peace, knowing that nothing more hurtful than a wandering crab could possibly assail us, and that he would run off in great fear the moment he discovered what strange beings had invaded his isle. Once more we embarked at dawn, and the wind blew us straight to this port, which I exceedingly longed to see, but our destination was Taviuni; so, much to my disgust, we tacked with the intention of crossing thither. For several hours we battled with the breeze—weary hours of tossing and sickness. We lost our main-topmast; and at last, finding that the wind had driven us back to this desired haven, it was resolved that the Langhams and myself should come ashore, and the vessel go on to Taviuni with such of the party as were thither bound, and return for us. So an hour later I found myself under this hospitable roof; but the Langhams make it a rule always to live in native towns, in order to be amongst the people. How I do revel in a fresh clean room all to myself, and abundance of new milk and scones!