_Honolulu_, _April_ 1889.
MY DEAR CHARLES,—As usual, your letter is as good as a cordial, and I
thank you for it, and all your care, kindness, and generous and
thoughtful friendship, from my heart. I was truly glad to hear a word of
Colvin, whose long silence has terrified me; and glad to hear that you
condoned the notion of my staying longer in the South Seas, for I have
decided in that sense. The first idea was to go in the _Morning Star_,
missionary ship; but now I have found a trading schooner, the _Equator_,
which is to call for me here early in June and carry us through the
Gilberts. What will happen then, the Lord knows. My mother does not
accompany us: she leaves here for home early in May, and you will hear of
us from her; but not, I imagine, anything more definite. We shall get
dumped on Butaritari, and whether we manage to go on to the Marshalls and
Carolines, or whether we fall back on Samoa, Heaven must decide; but I
mean to fetch back into the course of the _Richmond_—(to think you don’t
know what the _Richmond_ is!—the steamer of the Eastern South Seas,
joining New Zealand, Tongatabu, the Samoas, Taheite, and Rarotonga, and
carrying by last advices sheep in the saloon!)—into the course of the
_Richmond_ and make Taheite again on the home track. Would I like to see
the _Scots Observer_? Wouldn’t I not? But whaur? I’m direckit at
space. They have nae post offishes at the Gilberts, and as for the
Car’lines! Ye see, Mr. Baxter, we’re no just in the punkshewal _centre_
o’ civ’lisation. But pile them up for me, and when I’ve decided on an
address, I’ll let you ken, and ye’ll can send them stavin’ after me.—Ever
your affectionate,