MRS. J. G. PATON'S JOURNAL
79
' Alofa ' to him as the rowers pulled in their oars, and the boat slowed in. They knew my voice and what a buzz there was I '- Ta Missi-fine I Ta; Missi-fine I' was excitedly passed from lip to lip, and I had hardly regained my equilibrium, after scrambling on to the r.ocks, when some one, with a baby tied to her back, flung her arms tightly round me, her face on: my shoulder, and sobbed like to break her heart. I tried to lift her face to see who it was, but it was no use. She had to have her cry out before I found it was my good faithful Litsi Sisi. I never knew her to give way so in her whole life. She was always too energetic to indulge in sentiment, but the natives had no notion I was coming, and the sudden appearance was too much for her. What a shaking of hands there was I Fred received his fall share of welcome I They could not believe that the great, tall, moustached fellow laughing down at them was the wee ' Freddy ' of long ago, and sorely do they begrudge him as missionary to the Malekulans I They said : ' He belongs to us. He was born on our soil-our first white chief-and here he should stay as our m1ss10nary. The Malekulans can't love him as we do,' &c. '' Ml e had to make speed to cover the distance between the boat-landing and the Mission-house, as we were only' allowed a few minutes on shore while Mr. Grey's things were being landed. Fred was trying hard to recognise landmarks by the light of the lantern as we went along. Litsi Sisi, after her tears, was completely herself again, commander-in-chief of the procession, and laying about with her tongue in all directions-pitching