their departure," said Abela. "I know
this spot well, for before Masaugu's father conquered the territory he
now holds, I and my family dwelt in the neighbourhood. I discovered it
as a girl when rambling about the mountains with my brothers, who are
dead, and no one else is acquainted with it. We ourselves propose to
find concealment in different directions, for should the heathens search
for us, some may thus have a better prospect of escaping, and the faith
of Jehovah will still remain in the land."

Abela and her companions, having carefully allowed the shrubs to regain
their natural position, left Maud and me alone, and we soon lost the
sound of their footsteps. The cavern was perfectly dry, and sufficient
air found its way through the boughs to prevent the atmosphere from
feeling close. Some mats had also been left for us, on which we could
recline; but, as may be supposed, the fearful events that had occurred,
and the grief and anxiety which weighed on our hearts, prevented us for
many hours from sleeping. No sound except that of the ceaseless roar
and splash of the neighbouring waterfall, reached our ears. While we
sat, shrouded in darkness, it was difficult to avoid giving way to
despondency. We did not, I need scarcely say, forget to pray, while we
had cause to be thankful at having received sufficient warning to escape
from the cruel fate which would have overtaken us had we been at the
settlement.

At last we slept, and the light of day was making its way through the
dense foliage when we awoke. Our cavern, we now found, was even smaller
than we had supposed. There was no room to walk about; indeed, it
afforded us just space sufficient to lie down at full length. As we
peered out between the bushes, we could see the opposite sides of the
ravine rising up in a perpendicular precipice directly before us. This
gave us an assurance that there was little probability of our being
discovered by the savages, even though they might search diligently for
us through the mountains. Our friends had left us an ample supply of
provisions so that if necessary we might remain many days there without
fear of starvation. But what was to be our future lot it was impossible
to say.

"It is a great comfort to know that God will decide it for us," said
Maud, putting her arms round my neck. "He knows what is best, and He
will find a way of escape for those who trust Him, out of all
difficulties. See," she added,