460
'Ï 93- . was ftill a matter of regret and vexation that he could not overcome;
November. . 0 . • _
y — j and unfortunately it was out of our power to afford him any confolation,
as thofe we had On board were in a language he did not underftand.
His fervants being aware of the unealinefs which the want of thefe religious
comforts would occafion their mailer, came on board in the evening
with the bible and prayer-book, without either o f them having been wetted
by the waters of the Ocean, to preferve them agairift which had been an
objeft of much care and attention. The very great comfort this circum-
ftance imparted was too evident in the countenance of our worthy friend
to pafs unnoticed. He immediately retired, and after having been clofet-
ed about three quarters o f an hour, he returned to fupper, and Was as
cheerful, and in the fame high fpirits, as before thefe uncomfortable events
had happened. I then took an opportunity of apologizing for our fmiles
in the boat, and I believe we obtained perfect forgivenefs, as he laughed
heartily at the adventures of the day, and the'evening palfed in the moll
cheerful manner.
Such are the happy cffecls refilling from a religious education, and
fuch the confolations that are derived by the habitual exercife of the principles
it inculcates.
Whilft deprived of thofe comforts to which in the hour Of peril or
misfortune he had been taught to refort, I am convinced the mind of
our friend was far from being in an enviable Hate ; but when the oppor-
tunity'was afforded him of confcientioufly difeharging the facred duties
which he felt it incumbent upon him tó perform, I believe there were
few in the world with whom he would have wilhed to have changed
conditions.
Wcdner. 20. The next morning we had an early vifit from fome of the Indians,
who came to inform Father Vincente that the furf was intirely abated,
and that he might land in the moll perfeft fecurity. His anxiety to get
on lhore induced me to lofe no time in making another attempt, leaving
directions, in the event of our being able to land, Tor thé vellels-to proceed
along the coaftas foon as the fea breeze Ihould fet in, where I would
join them off the million.
When we reached the lhore the furf Hill ran very high, but with the »79^
afliftance of our light fmall boat we landed with great eafe, perfectly dry, ■ ■ - /
and much to the fatisfaftion of our worthy companion; of whofe bounty
there was yet remaining near the beach a large quantity of roots, vegetables,
and other ufeful articles, with five head of cattle, in readinefs to
be fent on board. One o f thefe being a very fine young bull was taken
on board alive, for the purpofe of being carried if polfible to Owhyhee.
The others were killed, and produced us an ample fupply; had they
not been fufficient, a greater number were at hand, and equally at our
difpofal.
Our hofpitable friend now. condufted us towards the eftablilhment,
which was fituated about three quarters o f a mile from the water-fide y
from whence we had not advanced many paces before the road became
crowded with Indians of both fexes, and of all ages, running towards us.
This affemblage I at firft attributed to curiofity, and the defire of feeing
ftrangers, but I was foon agreeably undeceived, and convinced that it
was not ’to welcome us, but the return o f their pallor and benefaftor.
Although it was yet very early in the morning, the happy tidings had
reached the million; from whence thefe children of nature had iffued;
each preffmg through the crowd, unmindful of the feeble or the young,
to kifs the hand of their paternal guardian, and jo receive his benediction.
His bleffings being difpenfed, the little multitude difperfed in various
directions.
With us, as ftrangers, their curiofity was very foon fatisfied, a few only
accompanying us to the miflion. Thefe made many inquiries of Father
Vincente how he had fared, and how he had been treated on board the
Ihip ; to all which his anfwers were returned in fuch pleafing terms of
kind familiarity, as apparently afforded them great fatisfaftion, whilft it
produced in them much furprize. This converfation we were only able to
underftand through his interpretation, as it was held in the Indian language,
which Father. Vincente fpoke very fluently.
On our entering the miflion we were received by. Father Francifco
Dume, and entertained in a manner that proved the great refpedlability