hen we had just finished a class-meeting. The evening was most
fair and peaceful as we came out of the house; a fresh air from the sea
had relieved the heat of the day; the leaves of the trees were
glittering in the sunlight; the ocean all sparkling under the breeze;
when word came that some bodies of slain people were bringing from
Lauthala. I could hardly understand the report, or credit it; but
presently the horrible procession came in sight, and eleven dead bodies
were laid on the ground immediately before us. Eleven only were brought
to this village; but great numbers are said to have been killed. Their
crime was the killing of one man; and when they would have submitted
themselves and made amends, all this recompense of death was demanded
by the offended chief. The manner in which these wretched creatures
were treated is not a thing to be described; they were not handled with
the respect which we give to brute animals. The natives have looked
dark upon us since that time, and give us reason to know that as far as
they are concerned our lives are not safe. But we know in whose hands
our lives are; they are the Lord's; and he will do with them what he
pleases--not what the heathen please. So we are under no concern about
it."

That storm appeared to have passed away; for in later letters Mr. Rhys
and Mr. Lefferts spoke of acceptable services among the people and an
evidently manifested feeling of trust and good will on their part
towards the missionaries. Indeed these were often able to turn the
natives from their devilish purposes and save life. Not always. The old
king of that part of the country had died, and all the influence and
all the offers of compensation made by the missionaries, could not
prevent the slaughter of half a dozen women, his wives, to do him
honour in his burial. The scene as Mr. Lefferts described it was
heart-sickening.

As he drew near the door of the king's house, with the intent to
prevail for the right or to protest against the wrong, he saw the biers
standing ready; and so knew that all the efforts previously made to
hinder the barbarous rites had been unavailing. The house as he entered
was in the hush of death. One woman lay strangled. Another sitting on
the floor, covered with a large veil, was in the hands of her
murderers. A cord was passed twice round her neck, and the ends were
held on each side of her by a group of eight or ten strong men, the two
groups pulling opposite ways.