"Is it a message from my mother?"
"Yes, to me. I am not to inform you until I think fit. The time has not yet come."
"Is the Great Chief dead?"
"Buli? God forbid! No; he is well, and Viara also. Up to the present Niga has not succeeded in destroying our infant church. Tera," he added earnestly, "do not frown on me, my child. You know I have your welfare at heart. When possible, I will let you know Viara's message. At present, let me tell you there is nothing that need disquiet you."
Tera looked at her guardian keenly, and apparently her distrust passed away. "You are a good man, Misi. I place my heart in your hand. And now I wish you to do something for me."
"What is it?" asked Johnson, resting his aching head on his hand.
"I wish you to marry me to Jack!"
"No, no, I cannot do that. You ask me too much."
"Misi!" Tera knelt down beside Johnson and seized his hand, which trembled in her grasp. "You must be brave as you are good. I was wrong to run away as I did and give you pain, but I feared you would part me from Jack. I love him, and I cannot love you. We wish to sail next week for the South Seas--for my own island--and we must be married before we go. You are my friend--my guardian; you will surely do me this last kindness."
Johnson groaned. Curious to say, since Tera had returned, he found that his love was not so strong as it had been. Nevertheless, he felt a pang at giving her to another man. That his should be the hand to make them one was too much to ask. He feared it was beyond his strength. But the perils which he had escaped had rendered him grateful to God for the protection vouchsafed him. He felt that he should exercise some self-denial--make some sacrifice. Therefore, he made up his mind to curb this love which overwhelmed his soul, and since he could not gain Tera for himself, to place her under the protection of a husband who would make her happy and protect her from harm. In Koiau it would be well that Tera should marry a Christian, for with her own influence, and that of her European husband, they might hope to do much for the people.