The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea CannibalsPaton, John Gibson
Religion
The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea Cannibals
Paton, John Gibson
Missions -- Vanuatu; Paton, John Gibson, 1824-1907
Off he started to Nowar's, and got a large load of my stolen property,
blankets, sheets, etc., which had fallen to his lot. He called his seven
men, who had also shared in the plunder, and, to avoid Miaki's men, they
ran away under a large cocoanut grove skirting the shore, calling, "Be
quick! Follow and keep as near to us as you can."
Though Nowar had got a box of my rice and appropriated many things from
the plunder of the Mission House besides the goods entrusted to his
care, and got two of my goats killed and cooked for himself and his
people, yet now he would not give a particle of food to my starving
Aneityumese or myself, but hurried us off, saying, "I will eat all your
rice and keep all that has been left with me, in payment for my lame
knee and for my people fighting for you!"
My three Aneityumese and I started after Faimungo and his men. We could
place no confidence in any of them; but, feeling that we were in the
Lord's hands, it appeared to be our only hope of escaping instant death.
We got away unobserved by the enemies. We met several small parties of
friends in the Harbor, apparently glad to see us trying to get away. But
about four miles on our way, we met a large party of Miaki's men, all
armed, and watching as outposts. Some were for shooting us, but others
hesitated. Every musket was, however, raised and leveled at me. Faimungo
poised his great spear and said, "No, you shall not kill Missi to-day.
He is with me." Having made this flourish, he strode off after his own
men, and my Aneityumese followed, leaving me face to face with a ring of
leveled muskets.
Sirawia, who was in command of this party, and who once, like Nowar, had
been my friend, said to me, Judas like, "My love to you, Missi." But he
also shouted after Faimungo, "Your conduct is bad in taking the Missi
away; leave him to us to be killed!" I then turned upon him, saying,
"Sirawia, I love you all. You must know that I sought only your good. I
gave you medicine and food when you and your people were sick and dying
under measles; I gave you the very clothing you wear. Am I not your
friend? Have we not often drunk tea and eaten together in my house? Can
you stand there and see your friend shot? If you do, my God will punish
you severely."
He then whispered something to his company which I did not hear; and,
though their muskets were still raised, I saw in their eyes that he had
restrained them. I therefore began gradually to move backwards, still
keeping my eyes fixed on them, till the bush hid them from my view,
whereon I turned and ran after my party, and God kept the enemy from
following. We trusted in Jehovah Jesus, and pressed on in flight.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account