main with us? The ship's time in
these seas will soon be up, and when we get to England our house shall
be your home. We have no children of our own, and my wife and I will do
our best to act the part of the parents you have lost."

My heart swelled with gratitude to the kind captain and his wife. I
could scarcely speak. I had often thought of England, and how
delightful it would be to see it, but I had resolved to devote myself,
as my dear father and mother had done, in endeavouring to make known the
gospel among the heathen islanders. I knew their language and customs,
and felt that I was suited for the task. I was sure also that Maud
would not consent to leave me; still, I did not wish to bias her should
she desire to accept Captain and Mrs Hudson's offer. My eyes filled
with tears as I took the captain's hand, and expressed my gratitude for
his generous proposal. I told him the object on which my heart was set,
and had it not been for that, how thankful I should have been to accept
his offer. I then explained that Maud was not my sister, and gave him
her history, adding, that she would indeed be fortunate to have such
kind protectors as I was sure he and Mrs Hudson would prove.

"I will ask her," said the captain. "But I should like to have had you
both."

I waited anxiously to hear what Maud would say, earnestly praying
meantime that she would be directed aright. I had closed my eyes, when
I felt Maud's arms round me. "I cannot, no I cannot leave you, dear
Mary, where you go I will go," she whispered. "If you had said yes to
the good captain I would gladly have accompanied you. If you remain out
here I will remain also."

As we neared the harbour a canoe, manned by natives in white jackets and
trousers and straw hats, came off. One of them, in good English,
announced himself as a pilot, and under his charge the "True Love" was
safely conducted into a secure and beautiful harbour, where her anchor
was dropped. Neat white-washed houses lined the shore; beyond them rose
several buildings of good size, the largest of which was a stone church
with tower and belfry. Plantations extended on every side as far as the
eye could reach. Everything wore an aspect of peace and contentment.
How different from that of the heathen island we had left! Yet a short
time before the numerous dark skinned natives, well clothed and in their
right minds, were naked heathen savages, such as those among whom we had
dwe