hearts seemed brim full of joy at seeing me back, gave me a very warm
welcome. I at once decided to leave my luggage and the steamer, and
proceed at once to Metlakahtla with my Indian friends, who assured me
that the village was in a great state of excitement at the prospect of
my return. We were favoured with a strong, fair wind, and with two
sails up we dashed along merrily through a boiling sea. I now felt I
was indeed homeward bound. My happy friends, having nothing to do but
to watch the sails and sit still, could give free vent to their long
pent-up feelings, and so they poured out one piece of news after
another in rapid succession, and without any regard to order, or the
changes their reports produced upon my feelings: thus we had good and
bad, solemn and frivolous news, all mixed indiscriminately.

"On sighting the village, in accordance with a preconcerted
arrangement, a flag was hoisted over our canoe, as a signal to the
villagers that I was on board. Very soon we could discern quite a
number of flags flying over the village, and the Indians hurrying
towards the place of landing. Before we reached the beach large crowds
had assembled to greet me. On my stepping out of the canoe, bang went a
cannon, and when fairly on my feet bang went another. Then some of the
principal people stepped away from the groups, and came forward, hats
off, and saluted me very warmly. On my advancing, the corps of
constables discharged their muskets, then all hats were doffed, and a
general rush to seize my hand ensued. I was now hemmed in with the
crowds of solemn faces, many exhibiting intense emotion, and eyes
glistening with tears of joy. In struggling my way to the Mission
house, I had nearly overlooked the schoolchildren. The dear little ones
had been posted in order on one side, and were all standing in mute
expectation of a recognition. I patted a few on the head, and then with
feelings almost overcome, I pressed my way to my house. How sweet it