Annals of the Propagation of the Faith Volume 7-8 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 Excerpt: ...for a place fit for our first establishment. The captain on his side, gave his instructions to the same effect. Mr. Blemy, the mate of the vessel, at the head of four rowers, was directed to attend the Prelate wherever he wished to go: we had a whaler's boat. This being done, we set off. The sailors who escorted us took their guns and their cutlasses; as for our part, all our confidence was in God. On this and the following day we had visited the whole harbour and a part of Saint George's Island. The result of our investigations led us to believe that Isabella was fertile and contained fresh water; but, like Christobal, it showed no plains, and no kind of pastures. The Missionaries who remained on board gave also an account of their observations. All the natives who had come on board had appeared to them to be abundantly supplied with all the fruits already found in the other islands; moreover, they brought several which we had never seen before that day. The crew was again struck with the animation of their gestures and looks. They were always well armed, and, in addition to the lance and the head-breaker, which we had remarked in the hands oi the other savages, we saw them lways with their bow ready strung, holding in their hands bundles of poisoned arrows, and magnificent tortoise-shell shields. Having been questioned as to the manner of making use of their arms, they handled them on the deck with a frightful dexterity. They showed themselves ready to exchange for iron and hatchets, any of their arms, with the exception of their shell-bucklers, which they would not part with at any price, although they showed an extravagant wish, or rather a real madness, for iron and hatchets. We recognised among the ornaments of their attire, several necklaces formed o...