_Wednesday, September 15th._--A beautiful morning but a strong Trade wind blowing. After our morning duties here we sailed down to ‘Lobaha’ to see Arudale, Didi and the school there. We pulled the boat up on the beach, no very easy work with the sand so soft. Most of the boys were down at the beach and we all went up together to the village. It was a hot, steep climb and we were very liquid when we got there. The boys brought us a plentiful supply of young coconuts and with these we quenched our thirst. I was glad to see the amiability which was manifested one towards another by our people and the Lobaha folks, for lately the relations have been somewhat strained. It appears that not long ago, the chief wife of our Head man took offence at his scolding her, and ran away to his younger brother who lives at Lobaha. Our great man was very fond of this wife, for they had grown up together from childhood, and she had always presided over his establishment in a most devoted manner. She is most queenly in deportment, and quite one of the finest native women I have ever seen. However, she went off, and “Virclumlum” was not only incensed, but very sorely grieved. He told the boys in most pathetic words how he missed his wife, how that it seemed unbearable to do without her, how that everything seemed void and empty now that she was away. However, once away it seems she was away for good, and very soon a pig arrived and that he had to accept in lieu of her. For a long time the people here have never been to Lobaha and contrariwise the Lobaha people here. However, we have, I hope, broken the ice again, although I am particularly sorry to lose so nice a woman from the place, and I believe she has deeply repented already of her conduct and would give worlds to be back again. I was glad to see a new school in course of erection, and the old men and women told me they were only waiting for it to be finished to all coming to school. Herbert has already a nice little building at his own place, but the people say it is too far away, and any excuse is enough to keep people away from religious duties. Herbert shewed me with manifest pride, the most beautiful tool chest sent by his English “mother” (Miss Mount). He has been trying to use the tools, and I saw an attempt at some amount of straightness in the new building at which he was assisting. We stayed some time with him, talking over matters in connection with the school, &c., and then we made preparations for home. The wind was blowing strong down the coast, so that a sail was useless, and we had a heavy pull. However, the boys are very good oarsmen, and we got along famously. I anchored the boat off for the night, having use for her again to-morrow. It was a very miserable evening, the wind blowing in strong gusts, and the threatened rain falling at short intervals. We had Prayers and a very long interesting school afterwards. The boys and girls here are very sharp,