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Their first impulse, however, was to fall down on their knees on the deck, and return thanks to Jehovah for having freed them from the barbarians by whom they had been captured. They knew, from having several times before seen the British flag, that they would be kindly treated. They described through Tatai, in pathetic language, the way that they had been treated after having been captured.
Mr Charlton, on this, showed the British flag, and told them that, while they behaved well, under that flag they would ever find protection. The old chief seemed clearly to comprehend what was said. A new light had burst on him. "How is it that your friends are so great and powerful, while I am so poor and miserable?" he asked of Tatai.
The old chief listened attentively to all that was said, and then made a long speech, which Tatai translated.
Tatai agreed to this, and offered to accompany the lieutenant, provided the boat kept near enough to render them assistance if required. Again the boat pulled in, and Mr Charlton told Ben that he might land with him, as the savages would see by a boy being of the party that no treachery could be intended.
Tatai shouted out that the visitors came as friends, but the only reply he got was, "Go away, go away! we do not want you," spoken in the native tongue. This was not encouraging. Mr Charlton, however, was not to be defeated. Pulling off to a little distance from the shore, he consulted with Tatai. "If we land without arms and offer them food, that will show that we wish to be friends," he said.
Ben had told him all about Ned, and how he hoped to find him on one of the islands they expected to visit Tatai said that he must not be too sanguine, as it was very like looking for a pearl in a bed of oysters, though there were great numbers of white men scattered about among the islands, and even living among the most savage natives.
Still, as it was important to speak to the poor savages, Mr Charlton pulled towards a ledge of rocks which ran out from the shore, and with a basket full of presents, landed, accompanied by Tatai. The people ran towards him, threatening with their spears as before. He advanced as if to meet them, put down the presents, and then retreated.
A native of Tahiti, called Tatai, had been shipped at Callao to act as interpreter, as without one very little intercourse could have been held with the natives.
"Then I should like to learn about your God," said the old chief. Tatai, in reply, promised that he would try and send some one who would teach them more about the white man's God, and what He desired them to do, and teach them how to pray to Him. Mr Charlton was much pleased with what Tatai had said, and promised that he would also try to have either a native or English missionary sent to them.
The passage between the two walls of water which thus rose up on either side of the entrance was very narrow. It seemed indeed that the boats could not pass through without the oars touching the rocks. Mr Charlton, however, considered that the passage was practicable, so also did Tatai.
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