was searched for it, and for some time without its being found. At last,
a native found it buried in the sand near where it was last used. It had
evidently been hidden there till a favourable opportunity should occur of
taking it away. During the search, the owner of the axe (one of the
teachers) ran off for his gun, and came rushing over with it. I ordered
him to take it back, and in the evening told them it was only in New
Guinea that guns were used by missionaries. It was not so in any other
mission I knew of, and if we could not live amongst the natives without
arms, we had better remain at home; and if I saw arms used again by them
for anything, except birds, or the like, I should have the whole of them
thrown into the sea.

In the afternoon of the 14th, I went over to the house in which we had
been staying, to stir up the teachers to get the things over more
quickly; Mrs. Chalmers remaining at the new house to look after the
things there, as, without doors or flooring, everything was exposed. I
went to the seaside to call to the captain of the _Mayri_ to send us the
boat ashore, when, on looking towards my left, I saw twenty armed natives
hurrying along. Though painted, I recognized some of them as those who
were very friendly on board the _Bertha_, and spoke to them; but they
hurried past, frowning and saying something I did not understand. They
went straight on to the chief's house, and surrounded our party. I
passed through, and stood in front of them. One very ugly-looking
customer was brandishing his spear close by me. It was an anxious
moment, and one in which I am sure many would have used firearms. I
called out to the teachers, "Remain quiet." Our chief sprung out on to
the platform in front of the house and harangued. He was very excited.
Shortly he called to the teachers, in signs and words, to bring out their
guns and fire. They refused. He then rushed into the house and seized a
gun, and was making off with it, when one of the teachers caught hold of