Old Tom and the three men had built a hut for themselves at a short
distance from the missionary's house, that they might not incommode him
and his wife. He, however, kindly insisted that the two lads should
continue their guests.
The more Harry saw of Mr Hart, the more anxious he became to assist
him, and in order to do so he commenced studying the language of the
natives.
"I wonder you take so much trouble, Harry," observed his companion Bass;
"it seems to me like labour lost, when we may at any moment be compelled
to run away."
"But I hope, if we do, we shall be able to return," said Harry. "I
think, of all the works in which man can engage, that of converting the
heathen, and instructing them in the truths of the gospel, is the first
and noblest. I would rather be employed in it than in any other. We
look with respect on a man who has saved the life of a fellow-creature;
but surely, as the soul is of infinitely more value than the body, it
must be infinitely more noble to be the means of saving souls. If it
were not for my mother and sister, I would rather remain out here and
labour with Mr Hart than return home. But still I feel that it is my
first duty to try and go back to England, that I may comfort my mother
and sister, should, as I fear is the case, the _Steadfast_ and all hands
have been lost."
"Each man to his task," answered Dickey; "but I should have thought that
you, who have a good chance of some day getting the command of a ship,
would have preferred remaining at sea, even should the _Steadfast_ be
lost."
"I have not given up all hopes of her even yet," answered Harry; "though
I cannot account for her not coming to look for us."
Harry was soon able to speak a few words to the natives, and, as they
were anxious to learn English, they took pains to teach him their own
tongue in return for the instruction he gave them, and he and they were
thus able to understand each other on ordinary subjects.
Rumours that the heathens were meditating an attack again reached the
station. A large body of savages had been seen on the hills a short
distance off flourishing their weapons, and making fierce and
threatening gestures. Perhaps they had been deterred from their purpose
by the arrival of the boat, and, believing that all white men were
possessed of firearms, been unwilling to encounter them. As, however,
heathens were constantly coming to the village and going away again,
some of them would probably report that they had seen no muskets, and
that the number of white men was very small.
One evening, after prayers had been offered up in the missionary's
house, and old Tom and his companions had returned to their hut, just as
Harry and Bass were about to go to bed, a knocking was heard at the
door, Harry opened it, when a native appeared, and, in an agitated
voice, told them that a friend who still lived among the heathens had
just stolen into the village with the intelligence that a large band of
savages, led on by one of their priests, was approaching at a rapid
rate, having vowed to destroy all the Christians before the morning.
Harry at once told Mrs Hart, who was at first inclined to believe that
it was only another false report, such as had often before reached them.
The native, however, was positive that his friend was not mistaken, and
declared that if their dear missionary and his wife would not fly, he
and the other converts would carry them off by force to the mountains.
Harry proposed that scouts should be sent out to ascertain the fact, and
entreated Mr and Mrs Hart to embark at once, and to wait in the boat
till the return of the scouts. In the meantime he sent Bass to summon
Tom and his companions. Several of the converts were ready to act as
scouts, though they declared that there was no doubt of the truth of the
report, and that it would be wiser to escape at once to the mountains.
The whole population now gathered round the mission-house, and urged Mr
and Mrs Hart to go on board the boat, which had been sent, they
asserted, on purpose to preserve their lives. The missionary and his
wife at length agreed to act as they were advised, though still loth to
leave the converts. The people, though they knew the danger they
themselves ran by remaining, would not commence their flight till they
had seen their white friends, whom they hurried down to the beach, safe
on board. At the same time, some of them carried the provisions which
had been prepared on board, while others brought from their own stores a
still further supply, and would have added more, had not old Tom assured
them that the boat was already overloaded. She had just been launched
into deep water, when one of the scouts came hurrying back with the
intelligence that the savages were close to the village, and that there
was but little time for their countrymen to make their escape. While
the Christian natives hurried off in the direction of the mountains, the
boat pulled away from the shore towards the passage which led into the
open sea.
The night was cloudy and dark, but a strong breeze was blowing, which
sent the surf high over the reef, so that the passage could easily be
distinguished. Mr Hart, even to the last, was very unwilling to desert
his station, and begged old Tom to remain inside the lagoon till they
could see what would happen. They were not left long in doubt, for a
few minutes only had elapsed after they had quitted the beach when
fearful shouts and yells rent the air. The savages, expecting to entrap
their victims, had evidently surrounded the village, and were rushing
forward with the intention of putting all within it to death.
In a short time torches which they had lighted were seen flaring up,
their glare being cast on the tall trees and rocks and the sides of the
hills, as they rushed forward to throw them into the buildings. In a
few seconds more the whole village was in a blaze, and burning
furiously. The dark figures of the savages could be seen as they stood
ready with uplifted weapons to strike those whom they expected to issue
forth. Their rage and disappointment must have been great when no one
appeared. The delay, however, it was hoped, would enable the fugitives
to escape to their proposed hiding-places. As the bright light from the
burning buildings shed a glare over the water, at length the savages
perceived the boat, and rushed down to the beach, shouting loudly to
those in her to return, some darting their spears, and others shooting
arrows towards her. She was happily too far off for the weapons to
reach her.
"The heathens have been allowed to triumph for a time," said Mr Hart.
"I pray that our poor converts will escape their fury. We must now
trust to the protection of Him who is able to guide us over the stormy
ocean to a haven of rest. His will be done."
"The sooner we are out of the reach of those savages the better, or they
will be coming after us in their canoes," observed old Tom. "When we
are outside we shall be able to make sail and stand to the eastward. If
the wind favours us we shall reach a Christian island in the course of a
week, where we are sure to meet a hearty welcome. We have provisions
enough on board to last us a month, so we need have no fear of starving,
whatever happens."
This address encouraged the men, who pulled away in good spirits, Harry
and Bass, who had each an oar, setting them an example. Mr Hart
offered to row.
"No, no, sir," answered old Tom. "You are not accustomed to the sort of
life we shall have to lead for the next few days, and you will have
enough to do to look after your poor wife. We all feel more for her
than for ourselves, and will do our best to make her as comfortable as
we can."
Mrs Hart thanked old Tom, and assured him that she was resigned to
whatever might happen, and felt no alarm, notwithstanding the fearful
scene they had witnessed.
The boat now reached the passage, and passing between the two walls of
foam which rose up on either hand, was soon tossing on the wild sea
outside. Harry, as he pulled away, had watched the shore anxiously, and
was thankful to find that they were not as yet pursued. He had little
doubt, however, that, as soon as the savages could reach their canoes,
they would put off in chase, they not supposing that so small a boat
would venture out into the open sea on so stormy a night.
"Now, lads, we will set up the mast and make sail," said old Tom, after
the boat had got some distance from the reef. "You need not be alarmed,
marm," he continued, addressing Mrs Hart; "this whale-boat of ours is
strong, and will go through twice as much sea as we have now."
Old Tom did not over-estimate the good qualities of the boat. Though
the dark seas rose up capped with foam around her, she sprang lightly
over them, guided by his experienced hands, scarcely shipping a drop of
water.
Thus she went on during the night.
When morning dawned she had run the island out of sight. As the wind
had been gradually decreasing, and the sea going down, they were able to
re-stow the boat.
By Harry's forethought several articles had been put on board which
might conduce to Mrs Hart's comfort. Among them was a small mattress
and a tarpaulin, which had served to protect their luggage when they
first landed. With this a cabin was fitted in the stern of the boat,
which, though narrow and confined, afforded her the shelter she so much
needed. Within, shaded from the rays of the sun, she could recline
during the heat of the day, while by lifting up the edges, sufficient
air was admitted. Not a murmur escaped her lips, while she warmly
expressed her thanks for the attention bestowed on her.
"We should be very ungrateful, marm, if we did not do our best to make
you comfortable; for if it had not been for you and Mr Hart, I am
pretty sure none of us would have been now alive. If we had landed on
another part of the island, the savages, judging from the way they
behaved last night, would have knocked us all on the head. I am sure,
lads, I say what you all feel."
The men acknowledged that old Tom spoke the truth, and promised to do
their best to take care of the missionary and his wife.
Mr Hart began the day by offering up a prayer for protection, and
thanking their Father in heaven for preserving their lives from the fury
of the savages. Then, opening his Bible, he read several portions
showing how full of loving-kindness and mercy God is; at the same time,
being just, He can by no means overlook iniquity. On this account it
was that He gave us the inestimable gift of His Son, the Lamb without
spot or blemish, to die instead of sinful man. And He requires now that
men should believe that Christ thus died for their sakes, that His blood
atones for all their sins, that God receives them, rebels though they
have hitherto been, as His dear children, and makes them holy by His own
good Spirit, fitted to enter the glorious heaven which He has prepared
for all those who love Him.
Again and again, with earnest prayer that they might receive it, Mr
Hart impressed these truths on his hearers. They had heard them before;
but their minds were so dull, and their hearts so hard even now, that
but slight impression appeared to have been made on them. Young Bass
alone at length murmured, "I do believe, and desire to give my heart to
Jesus; pray for me, Mr Hart, for I am afraid if I were to get back
among careless companions, that I should again become as they are."
"From that God will assuredly guard you, my young friend, if you
earnestly seek for His guidance; and our prayers, as well as yours, will
be heard at the throne of grace."
Day after day went by, the boat making but slow progress, for it was an
almost perfect calm; and, though the oars were got out, and kept going,
the men either could not, or would not, make much exertion in rowing.
Mr Hart, and Harry and Bass, and old Tom, took their turns at the oars,
and endeavoured to encourage the men. Still no land appeared in sight.
The men grumbled, and declared that they would rather have a gale than
this long continuance of calm.
"Let us rather be thankful, my friends, for the fine weather; and,
though our voyage is prolonged, we may still hope to reach a haven of
safety," observed Mr Hart.
The gale the men were wishing for came, however, with more fury than
they desired. Once more the boat was tossing on the foaming waves, when
the sea, breaking over her, washed away a portion of their provisions,
and compelled them to be constantly bailing to keep her afloat. She was
driven, too, far out of her course, and often it seemed as if she could
not live amid the raging seas which rose up around her. Old Tom,
however, sat at the helm, calm and undismayed, steering with his
accustomed skill. All knew well that their lives depended, under
Providence, on him.
Still the tempest was increasing. In spite of the admirable way old Tom
managed the boat, another sea broke on board, washing out of her more of
the provisions, and almost carrying away one of the men as he lay asleep
in the bows. He was caught by the man next to him, and hauled in, and
all hands had instantly to set to work to bail out the water.
"It looks to me as if this hurricane was never going to cease!" cried
the chief grumbler of the party. "We might as well have stopped and
fought the savages, and if they had killed us there would have been an
end of it."
"My friend, God will cause the hurricane to cease when He thinks fit,"
said Mr Hart, solemnly. "Be thankful rather that you are yet alive,
and that the day of grace still lasts. You had not then accepted
Christ, and heaven would never have been your home. Have you done so
now? God is still willing to receive you; and He shows it by having
preserved you hitherto from the perils by which we have been
surrounded."
"You are right, sir," answered the man, at length touched; "I am an
ungrateful fellow, God be merciful to me a sinner! I will never
complain again."
"God is always merciful, my friend; He has offered you the means by
which you may be saved. He has not thought fit to establish any other
means, or opened up any other way by which you can enter heaven but that
one single way, and He says, `Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved.' Believe, my dear friend; think how precious your soul
is. Remember the thief on the cross; and if, like him, you can truly
say, `I believe,' should the boat be overwhelmed the next minute, you
will be where he is, with Jesus in heaven."
The storm at length ceased, and the sorely battered boat was left
floating calmly on the water; but nearly all the provisions were gone,
two of the oars had been washed overboard, and there was a leak in her
side which it was found impossible altogether to stop, while the crew
were well-nigh worn out.
Mr Hart sat with his beloved wife in his arms, feeling that it might be
God's will that they should not again see land. They were prepared for
whatever He might decree, and they felt more for their two young
companions, and for Harry's mother and sister, of whom he had been
speaking to them, than for themselves. As they gazed at the haggard
faces of the two boys and the old man, it seemed to them that before
long one or the other would be called away.