Instead of spending six weeks at this place we spent only ten days. They were busy days, as we all worked at the house, and as I could not get about very much to the neighbouring villages, I had to content myself with talking to the people as they came about us. It soon became evident that my two boys from the North were very home-sick. One I discovered sitting in the dark one evening crying, and although they said nothing I could see what they wished. I therefore decided to return with them, and after some little difficulty got a crew together. We started on a not very promising morning, but did not go far before the hearts of the Wonor men failed them entirely. There was a good breeze blowing, and some sea on, and the prospect of a long journey before them, and they formally requested to be allowed to return. It would have been very awkward to get back in the boat, as both wind and sea were dead against us, so I decided to put them ashore at a convenient spot, and continued the journey with the two boys. We had a fair wind, but rain commenced and continued at intervals all through the day. At last we reached our destination as evening came on, and never was home more welcome. Our wonderful journey, as it was thought, with only three in the boat, caused much talk. Had the wind failed us we should have been in a great difficulty, but as it was we did the forty miles without much labour. I hoped to be able to get a crew together, and to go South again to complete my stay, but we were over-ruled. Three or four days after reaching Qatvenua the place was greatly disturbed on hearing that a large canoe, which had left Maewo with Araga people in it more than a week before, had not been seen or heard of. They were either drowned or had been blown over to Opa. After a day or two more of suspense I decided to go to Opa to enquire. It was a relief to everybody when we started, and the people at home rejoiced greatly when they saw our signal fires in the evening to let them know that we had found the missing ones. It was so--they had been blown away from Araga, and could do nothing but steer for Opa. We remained there one night, and a Trader who lives there kindly gave the hospitality, and next day we started on our return with some of the canoe crew. A night had to be spent on the way at Maewo, but early the next morning we reached home. This was on Friday, and on the evening of the next day I commenced to be unwell, and continued so for three weeks. All plans came to nought, as I found it impossible to get rid of the ague and consequent fever, and only now and then could I manage to rise at all. The arrival of the _Southern Cross_ on July 17 was therefore very welcome, and I went on board at once. All plans as regards the Bank’s Islands had to be given up, and instead of my staying for a time in Mr. Palmer’s district at Mota and Motalav, as I had anticipated with great pleasure, I was forced to see