I will, metaphorically speaking, gird up my loins and try to bear the light into all this heathen blackness." "Then it is one of the first you ever had, old fellow.

But what's the need of girding up your loins in this hot climate ?" inquired Bickley with innocence.

"Pyjamas and that white and green umbrella of yours would do just as well." Bastin vouchsafed no reply and sat for the rest of that evening plunged in deep thought.
On the following morning he approached Marama and asked his leave to teach the people about the gods.

The chief readily granted this, thinking, I believe, that he alluded to ourselves, and orders were issued accordingly.

They were to the effect that Bastin was to be allowed to go everywhere unmolested and to talk to whom he would about what he would, to which all must listen with respect.
Thus he began his missionary career in Orofena, working at it, good and earnest man that he was, in a way that excited even the admiration of Bickley.