I was no sooner ready than a note arrived from the governor, sending me his own and his wife's horses as a means of transport. We then started upon our journey, arriving at the first outpost Taharaa. We found the troops there under arms and preparing to enforce the orders. Letters, however, delivered to the commander of these troops stopped their advance, and there the governor's aide-de-camp returned to town. Our passports were given here, and myself with my relation continued on our trip alone. Arriving at Point Venus, we were made to show our passports, and then were allowed to continue to our destination. Both of us were very much afraid, on seeing all of these men drawn up with their arms, ready for the march; but we plucked up our courage, and thoroughly intended to see the end of our object. My relation Ariipaea, however, was more afraid of our own natives than of the French, as lately he had deserted his own side. I, however, knew my influence with the natives would be sufficient to save him from any trouble whatever. We very soon arrived at the third outpost of the French at Tafai. We passed through this outpost without difficulty. We rested a while when there, as we saw there some of our old friends who had sided with the French, who kept us for breakfast. We we

Indigenous Histories