Our “Bush” friends brought down some prints for sale this morning, and there has been a tremendous competition for them. There were six yards of Turkey red handkerchief stuff, which were finally bought by a young married lady, “Ann,” for a large pig. The Bushmen still go “clothesless,” and returned Labourers find a ready market here for their linen goods, which they bring home from Queensland or Fiji. Pigs are of much more value to them, for of course they still keep up the old native custom of purchasing rank by means of these animals, while here now they are only looked upon as so much meat. I have been long trying to get a proper hold on these people, but I cannot flatter myself that I have yet succeeded very far. They live a long distance off, and the road is very inaccessible, but I trust in time they may be reached from hence. They are very amiable and very friendly, but they are somewhat terrified at anything new. However, they come here very often, and I don’t think they go away unprofited. _Thursday, October 28th._--Fine day with strong fresh Trade wind blowing. I was busy all day here at home doing little odds and ends of things preparatory to my anticipated visit from Mrs. Selwyn. The people were all away busy at their gardens, and I was left alone most of the day. I could not find time to get to Ruosi, so I went without my customary dip in the river. The people were all back in the evening, and their lively chatter and merriment were a pleasing contrast to the ghostly stillness which had reigned throughout the day. We had Prayers late because the people were late with their dinner. _Friday, October 29th._--Not a very fine day, and threatening for rain. Directly after school the people were away to their gardens, but three or four boys were working for me here. They felt the slight shock of an earthquake, but I did not perceive it. The undivided opinion here is that earthquakes are the precursors of rain, and often indeed I have known it so to result, but it seems rather an extraordinary law to lay down. However, there are abundant signs of a no very distant downpour, and the prophets may have a chance of being right in their present conjecture. We were very busy all day, but towards evening snatched time enough to go to Ruosi for a bathe. The rain kept off well, but there was a sprinkle in the evening, and evident signs of a great deal more before very long. I have felt the heat here very oppressive for the last few days, and by the appearance of the sky we must soon have some dirty weather with thunder. _Saturday, October 30th._--The storm came on us with a vengeance this morning at daylight, and kept on for a long time. At times the flashes and thunder peals seemed simultaneous, and the crashes were peculiarly heavy. I have never known a more severe storm in the Tropics, and as for the rain it simply poured down in torrents.