fear it is very likely they will
do. And as to fighting to defend them, though we should be ready enough
to risk our lives, yet as we have no arms we cannot hope to succeed. If
we had had half a dozen muskets we might have thrown up a fortification
and defended our friends, but without them the naked savages are our
superiors when it comes to fighting; besides, Mr Hart does not wish to
fight."

"He is, I suspect, right on that point," said Harry. "He wishes to show
the savages that the religion of the gospel is one of love and mercy and
long-suffering; and musket bullets, even if we had arms, would not
contribute to do that. I agree with you, however, that the sooner we
can get the boat ready the better."

Old Tom on this called the other men, and they all set to work to
prepare the boat for sea. Harry also informed the missionary and his
wife of their intentions, and urged Mrs Hart to get ready such a stock
of provisions as she could collect.

"For your sakes I will do so," she answered; "but if my husband still
thinks it right that we should remain, I cannot try to persuade him to
fly. We ought to stop and share the lot of the poor converts."

"You would, I think, by remaining, only increase their danger," observed
Harry. "They might, if alone, escape to the mountains and hide
themselves; but if they have you to attend to, they would run a much
greater risk of being discovered. Whereas if you accompany us, and our
lives are preserved, you may return when the rage of the heathens is
abated, and re-establish the mission."

These arguments seemed to have considerable effect on Mrs Hart, and
Harry hoped that she and her husband would no longer hesitate to embark,
should the heathens seriously threaten to attack the station.

Things, however, went on much as usual for several days. The boat was
made ready for sea, while as much water and provisions as she could
carry were prepared to be put on board at a moment's notice.

The three men had by this time grown weary of the monotonous life they
were compelled to live at the station, and, notwithstanding the dangers
they had gone through, they were anxious again to be off in search of
some other island, where they could live at their ease among the
natives, without running the risk of being murdered, as they were
assured they would be should they wander away among the heathens. Old
Tom and the two boys did their best to persuade them to remain
contentedly whe