. Betschler at
Tranquebar, he wrote in answer: "Ah, my friend, if you have got the
Nicobar ague, it will keep you company all your life, if you live to be
an hundred years old." Thus far his words have proved true, and to this
present time, after thirty years have elapsed, I perceive the remaining
symptoms regularly returning every fourth night. While I was at
Nancauwery, they were very violent, and weakened me so much, that I
often thought my life in danger. After my return to Europe, they abated
considerably; but on being appointed, to the service of the Missions in
the Danish West India islands, the heat of the climate caused them to
increase in strength, though by degrees they again became bearable, and
the fever almost imperceptible. At present the symptoms are various,
sometimes a great degree of thirst, sleepless nights, and uneasy
sensations; at other times heavy yet restless sleep, with dreams
approaching to delirium; but whatever they are, never failing to recur
every fourth night regularly. I will not venture to say, whether, if I
had staid in Europe, the use of proper means, under skilful treatment,
might not have entirely removed the complaint, but the fact, as it
exists at present, has verified Dr. Betschler's prediction.

To return to the former subject, I must add, that not one of us ever
learnt the Nicobar language so perfectly as to be able clearly to
explain the will of God concerning our salvation to the natives. But I
am of opinion that they are not the most hopeless subjects, and think
that the gospel might be preached to them with success, if the
abovementioned obstacles were removed.

LETTER VIII.

The birds-nests, which I have described in a former letter, brought a
great number, both of Malays and Chinese to our coasts, in quest of
them. These people always created much confusion and quarrelling among
our otherwise peaceable islanders, by their knavery and frequent
assassinations; and also gave the Missionaries a great deal of trouble.
In general, fifteen or sixteen, and in one year, nineteen, large prows
full of these vagabonds came to Nancauwery. After the officers and
soldiers who had accompanied the Missionaries to this island were all
dead, and it was known, that the latter would not quit their post, the
government at Tranquebur required, that always one of them should be
appointed Danish Royal Resident, and hold, as it were, the presidency
of the islands. The patent was always