"But it's a curious fact," he continued after a pause, during which we
walked in silence towards the spot where we had left our comrades--"it's
a curious fact that wherever the missionaries get a footin' all these
things come to an end at once, an' the savages take to doin' each other
good and singin' psalms, just like Methodists."
"God bless the missionaries," said I, while a feeling of enthusiasm
filled my heart so that I could speak with difficulty. "God bless and
prosper the missionaries till they get a footing in every island of the
sea!"
"I would say Amen to that prayer, Ralph, if I could," said Bill, in a
deep, sad voice; "but it would be a mere mockery for a man to ask a
blessing for others who dare not ask one for himself. But, Ralph," he
continued, "I've not told you half o' the abominations I have seen
durin' my life in these seas. If we pull long together, lad, I'll tell
you more; and if times have not changed very much since I was here last,
it's like that you'll have a chance o' seeing a little for yourself
before long."