lt, and often despaired would ever be brought to know the truths of
the gospel.

The boat was lowered, and Maud and I, with Mr Norton, Abela, and Tofa,
were seated in her, accompanied by Captain and Mrs Hudson, on our way
to the house of Mr Arnold, the missionary of which they had before
spoken, and to whom, they had told us, they were well-known. On landing
we proceeded along a well made clean road, at the further end of which,
some way from the shore, stood Mr Arnold's house. How neat and
beautiful it looked, with its garden full of flowering shrubs, and a
broad verandah in front!

Mr Arnold came out to meet us, followed by his wife. A few words from
Captain Hudson served to explain who we were.

"Indeed you are welcome, most welcome," he exclaimed, taking our hands.
"We have enough and to spare, and there is work for all of you if, as I
trust, you are willing to labour in the Lord's vineyard."

We were soon seated around the missionary's hospitable board, for
Captain Hudson's ship was well-known, and Mrs Arnold had been preparing
for the guests she was sure would come before they left the Pacific.
She was an interesting looking lady, but there was an expression of
sadness in her countenance, which at once struck me. Our host and
hostess had, of course, many questions to ask, and we gave them an
account of the dreadful events which had occurred to us. Captain Hudson
told them of his wish to carry us on with him to England.

"We only desire to have willing labourers," observed Mr Arnold, "and
they having counted the cost must decide for themselves. They have some
experience what it is; and you, Mr Norton, do you intend to return
home?" he asked.

"My desire is, the Lord helping me, to prepare myself for a missionary
among the heathen islanders of these seas," he answered. "I have
counted the cost, and with God's grace I hope not to turn back."

Mr Arnold warmly pressed his hand. "We will pray that His grace will
ever continue with you," he said. I felt an infinite satisfaction at
hearing this.

While the gentlemen went out to walk we remained with Mrs Arnold, who
gave us much interesting information about their island, and her account
raised my hopes that our own poor savages, as I called them, might some
day enjoy the same inestimable blessings, and that smiling villages and
churches and schools might appear throughout the island.

On Mr Arnold's return I saw that he was greatly agitated, and cast a