ched and
tossed about, it seemed to me that she would be unable to accomplish the
passage.

Abela was sitting by us. "Alas," she exclaimed, "we have escaped the
fury of our enemies only, I fear, to perish in the waves."

"Nay, nay, Abela," said Maud. "God, who has protected us heretofore,
can protect us still. He will find a way for us to escape if it is His
will that we should do so."

"Ah, you are right," answered Abela, "and I am weak and faithless to
doubt His love."

Still I must confess that it required much strong faith not to feel
nervous and alarmed while we saw the dark foaming seas rising up around
us, and apparently every moment about to overwhelm our little vessel.
The crew had lessened the sail, but yet it seemed scarcely capable of
withstanding the furious blasts which struck it. Maud and I, with Abela
and the other women, sat close together in the little hut on deck. I
observed that Mr Norton and Tofa had come nearer us as if to try and
prevent us from being washed away should a sea break on board, which it
appeared too probable would occur. The canoe was excessively buoyant,
or she could not have escaped being overwhelmed. Onward she continued
to fly over the tumbling waters, and we at length, becoming accustomed
to the movement of the vessel, began to hope that she would reach the
shore in safety, and already the crew were looking out in the
expectation of seeing it ahead.

All our hopes were to be disappointed. A furious blast struck the sail,
and before it could be lowered it was torn away, with the spars which
supported it, and we were left helpless on the wild ocean. To attempt
to use the paddles in such a sea was useless. The helmsman had turned
the head of the canoe away from the wind, and all that now could be done
was to fly before it. The gale increased. On we went, expecting every
moment that the seas would overwhelm us.

We could sit quiet and pray, but I felt much for our poor heathen crew,
who had no such consolation. Abela had called young Tofa to her side,
and was endeavouring to explain to him the glorious truths of the faith
she held, he seemed greatly struck by her calm resignation.

"Formerly you would have shrieked out, and trembled with fear," he
observed. "Now you seem as brave as the boldest of our warriors."

"I am brave, because I know in whom I trust," answered Abela. "I have
the support of the Holy Spirit sent by Jehovah. Though I am by myself
still