"The native woman is in one of the mate's cabins. I will go and attend
to her directly, and all the rest who are alive are safe on board; but
five or six of the poor Indians were dead, I am told, before they could
be lifted from the deck of the canoe."
I grieved much to hear this, for I had entertained hopes that all when
brought under Christian instruction would have accepted the truth; but
God's ways are inscrutable--we only know that they are just and right.
Soon after Mrs Hudson had placed me in bed, I sank into a state of
almost insensibility, and was conscious only that I was attended by a
kind hand. I could neither speak nor think, and knew not to what place
the ship was carrying us. My first inquiry on coming to myself, when I
saw Mrs Hudson standing over me, was for dear Maud. My heart leaped
with joy when I heard her voice saying, "I am here Mary--I am so very
very glad to hear you speaking again." I found that she was lying on a
sofa outside my cabin, to which Mrs Hudson said she had entreated to be
brought, that she might be near me. Abela, I found was also recovering,
and Mr Norton was well, and devoted himself to the care of the
sufferers, some of whom were still in a precarious state.
"He is trying to learn their language, and the young prince is never
weary in giving him instruction," said Mrs Hudson.
"They call Tofa the young prince, because the rest of his people pay him
so much respect," observed Maud.
I was truly thankful to hear this of Mr Norton. I should have trembled
for him, lest after getting safely on board the ship had he shown that
he had forgotten his good resolutions.
"That young Englishman is a very superior person indeed," observed Mrs
Hudson. "He has made inquiries about you and your sister every hour in
the day, and I really believe had you been taken from us it would have
broken his heart; he looked so anxious when I told him how ill you were.
He constantly also speaks to our crew, and reads the Bible to them, and
prays with them in the forecastle. They seem very well pleased to hear
him, and though my husband has prayers every Sunday, he cannot go among
them and talk to them in the familiar way this young man does. He tells
me, though I am sure he is a gentleman born by his manners, that he has
served before the mast, and therefore knows their habits and ways, and
that there is nothing like being on an equality with people to win their
hearts."
"Yes, that is what a missionary must be if he follows the example of his
Master," I said. "Jesus made Himself equal to the poorest, and of no
reputation, that He might gain souls to Himself."
"Ah yes, my dear young lady, if all ministers of the gospel as well as
missionaries acted thus, His blessed religion would make more progress
in the world than it now does."
In addition to my other causes of gratitude I thanked God that we had
been taken on board a ship commanded by a believing captain, with a kind
excellent wife. Through His mercy we were greatly indebted to Mrs
Hudson's constant and affectionate care for our recovery.