paid, my
baggage on board, and I knew not how to separate myself from the rest of
the mission family. The vessel however was several days in going down
the river; and "before putting out to sea was to be detained a day or
two longer at its mouth." "I immediately resolved on giving up the
voyage and returning to town. Accordingly the captain sent up a boat
with me, and agreed to forward my baggage the next day. I reached town
in the evening,--spent the night at the house of the only remaining
Englishman in the place, and to-day have come out to the mission-house,
to the great joy of all the Burmans left on our premises. Mr. Hough and
his family will proceed, and they kindly and affectionately urge my
return. I know I am surrounded by dangers on every hand, and expect to
see much anxiety and distress: but at present I am tranquil, and intend
to make an effort to pursue my studies as formerly, and leave the event
with God."

Thus did this heroic woman, with that divine "instinct that seems to
guide the noblest natures in great emergencies, decide to return alone
to the mission-house, there to await the return of her husband, or the
confirmation of her worst fears concerning his fate." It was a wonderful
exhibition of courage and constancy; "and gave assurance of all the
distinguished qualities, which at a later period, and amid dangers still
more appalling, shone with such brightness around the character of this
remarkable woman. The event justified her determination; and within a
week after her decision was taken, Mr. Judson arrived at Rangoon, having
been driven from place to place by contrary winds, and having entirely
failed of the object for which he undertook the voyage.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hough, after long delays, reached Bengal, carrying with
them the press and all the implements of the printing-house. Their
removal was subsequently productive of many embarrassments to the
Mission, and seems never to have been fully justified either by Mr.
Judson or the Board of Managers in America."[3]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 3: Gammell.]

CHAPTER X.

INTOLERANCE OF THE BURMAN GOVERNMENT.--FIRST EDIFICE FOR CHRISTIAN
WORSHIP ERECTED.--INSTRUCTION OF NATIVES.--CONVERSION OF A NATIVE.--HIS
BAPTISM.--THAT OF TWO TIMID DISCIPLES.--MESSRS. JUDSON AND COLMAN VISIT
AVA.

A few weeks after the return of Mr. Judson, the prospects of the Mission
were still further brightened by the arrival of Messrs. Colman and
Wheelock, who,