This circumstance considerably raised the spirits of all the party, for we felt that we had a friend where we least expected to find one.  If, however, we could but get back Jerry, we resolved to embark.  Perhaps the Christian chief might help us.  Had we been able to speak the language, our difficulties would have been much lessened.  Here, again, we had another example of the beneficial results of missionary labours. How the chief had been brought to a knowledge of the truth we could not tell, but that his savage nature had been changed was evident.  Perhaps there might be others like him on the island.  How it was that we had remained so long unmolested was another puzzle.  Perhaps it was owing to some superstitious custom of the natives, Mr Brand observed.  Perhaps we were tabooed; or, as we had, as they might suppose, existed so long without food, they might look upon us as beings of a superior order, and be afraid to injure us.  Our patience, meantime, was sorely tried.  We were afraid also that the natives might discover our canoe, and carry it off.