On April 8th, that is on the fifth day from Norfolk Island, we were in the passage between Araga and Ambrym. A boat was lowered, Tom’s belongings placed in it, and we pulled in shore to find his village, which he could not distinguish from the vessel. A clump of cocoa-nuts was recognised by him, and at last we pulled into a good sandy beach with very good landing, where a crowd had already collected for our reception. Their returning brother was at once recognised, and his goods shouldered with great readiness. The Bishop’s bad foot forbade his leaving the boat, but I landed and went up with the people to their village, which was quite close at hand, though invisible from the beach owing to the very thick bush. Tom had previously expressed his determination to build a house for school purposes as soon as possible, and I, through him, told the people of our plans and something of what we hoped to do among them. We thereupon, in consequence of the readiness they expressed, chose a convenient site for the house, and I promised to make a boat voyage to them as soon as I could conveniently get away from the northern district. It was evident that there could not be a great population in the immediate neighbourhood, as there was only a small level tract lying off the beach, backed up by somewhat high hills, which would doubtless form a separate district from the beach villages. On the next day, the 9th, we arrived at the north end of the island, having been almost becalmed on the way thither. The _Southern Cross_ anchored, my belongings were put together, and in two or three hours I landed at the usual place, and was at home again at Qatvenua. It was not a bright reception--the unusual quietness all about, the absence of the usual vociferous greetings, and the depressed looks of the teachers were not enlivening, and it was easily seen that there were unpleasant tidings to be heard. Gradually all became known. With regard to the chief school at Qatvenua the report was altogether favourable. It had decidedly advanced. Several outside adults, who had hitherto kept aloof from us, had come forward and joined themselves to our congregation, and the ordinary work had proceeded quite satisfactorily. But the other two schools in the district had met with interruptions, and one was in a state of temporary suspense. The cause of all was the fruitful source of trouble to us, the labour vessel. Some short time before one had visited that part, and a party of men and lads, almost entirely baptized or scholars, had departed in her. It was all to be put down to one man who had been of some importance. He had done wrong, and to avoid the retribution that in some form or other would have fallen upon him, he decided to leave the place, and then persuaded some of these men to accompany him, and the rest followed them. Amongst them was the teacher who had been in charge of the school at Lamoru, whose going was a great