The facts were, as I found, that six boys had recruited, had rushed into the boat, the Government Agent informed me.

They had all 'signed'; and, said the Government Agent, 'on board they shall remain.' I was assured that the six boys were of age and willing to go.

Yet on getting ready to leave the ship I found four of the lads ready to come ashore in the boat! This I forbade.

One of them jumped into the water and persisted in coming ashore in my boat.

When appealed to, the Government Agent suggested that we go and leave him to be picked up by the ship's boat, a quarter mile distant at the time!" The law and the missionaries feel for the repentant recruit--and properly, one may be permitted to think, for he is only a youth and ignorant and persuadable to his hurt--but sympathy for him is not kept in stock by the recruiter.