It may sound strange, yet it is true, that I have sat down to a table on which bread was placed, and though I had not tasted the latter for months, I took the “poi” in preference to the bread; it was sweeter to me than any food I had ever eaten.
Chapter 7
Start on a Tour Around the Island—Arrive at Wailuku—In a Remarkable Manner Become Acquainted With J. H. Napela
It was during a very wet season that I told the people I was going around the island. They thought it a great undertaking, and tried to persuade me not to go. I evidently had their sympathies; I was boyish-looking, and they called me a keiki, which in their language literally means “a child.”
Many times as I traveled along they would take my valise from me and carry it; and when I came to a stream of water, they would pack me across it.
I passed through a number of villages, over a very rough, hilly country, and late one night reached the town of Wailuku.
Up to this time, though I had been treated very kindly, I had not met with the persons whom I had been led to expect, by the manifestations of the Spirit, would receive my testimony.
The main part of the town of Wailuku was on the other side of a stream, in attempting to cross which I got wet.
There were some missionaries living here, and as I passed through the town, I hoped that I should get an opportunity of being introduced to them; for I had made it a rule, thus far, not to pass a missionary without bearing testimony to him respecting my mission. But I was dusty and toil-worn, and felt some diffidence about introducing myself.
By this time I had partly come to the conclusion that, as the weather was so unfavorable I would return to Lahaina; and in passing through Wailuku I took a road which I thought led in that direction. I had scarcely got out of the town when I felt impressed to return, the Spirit telling me that if I would do so I should get an opportunity of being introduced to the missionary who resided there.