“Few men are so entirely at their ease at sea, or so able to use every moment of time, perhaps more effectually because with less distraction than on shore. The effect of this is that in a voyage of reasonable duration I can master the elements of a new language sufficiently to enter at once into communications, more or less, with the native people. I feel myself called upon by these natural advantages to carry the Gospel into every island which has not received it.” At Anaiteum a Presbyterian mission was established, and the Bishop in consequence did not attempt to begin any work there, but had much friendly intercourse with the Scotch missionaries. He met there according to appointment with Captain Erskine, commanding the _Havannah_, and the _Undine_ accompanied the larger vessel in visits to some other islands. Captain Erskine considered the Bishop’s plan of travelling with no arms of any sort as “one of no little risk.” When he heard that some natives of an island, notorious for its hostility to white men, had been allowed to come on board the _Undine_, he wrote that he “was ready to allow that it required the perfect presence of mind and dignified bearing of Bishop Selwyn, which seemed never to fail in impressing these savages with a feeling of his superiority, to render such an act one of safety and prudence.” The Bishop recognized clearly the risks he ran in visiting the different islands and wrote: “It is quite uncertain from visit to visit in what temper the natives may be found. If any violence or loss of life should have occurred in the interval between the missionary’s visits, his blood may be required as much as that of any other white man.” On this cruise, which lasted only two months, he went to New Caledonia, the New Hebrides and the Loyalty Isles, and came across many different men of many different kinds. “On one day it is my lot to keep company with sandal wood traders, and on the next with her Majesty’s Men of War. As sources of information, the sandal wooders are most useful companions; I have received much kindness and civility from them.” He thus described his future plan for the conversion of the Melanesian islanders: “To select a few promising youths from all the islands, to prove and test them, first by observation of their habits on board a floating school; then to take them for further training to New Zealand; and, lastly when they are sufficiently advanced, to send them back as teachers to their own people, if possible with some English missionary to give effect and regularity to their work. All the ordinary losses by sickness, violence and theft which occur frequently where missionaries are stationed at once on unknown ground will be avoided.” From this first voyage he brought back five boys, enough to crowd his tiny cabin. They reached Auckland safely: