d.
The natives had taken great interest in the building of the
mission-house, and, soon after the Hinderers' return, the head chief,
accompanied by his wives and a host of attendants, came to see it.
They received a cordial welcome, but so many people swarmed into the
house that Mr. Hinderer began to fear it would collapse, and had to
keep out scores who wished to enter. The chief found much to amuse him
in this European-furnished house, and was immensely amused when for the
first time he saw himself in a looking-glass. His wives were shown
round by Mrs. Hinderer, and arriving at the bed-room they pointed to a
washstand and asked its use. For reply Mrs. Hinderer poured out some
water and washed her hands. Now the chief's wives had never before
seen soap, and to dry their hands after washing was a proceeding of
which they had never heard; therefore each became anxious to there and
then wash their hands in European fashion. Water was splashed about
the floor and wall, and when they wiped their hands the indigo dye from
their clothes ruined the towel.

Anna Hinderer, although frequently in bad health, continued her work
among the children with unabated enthusiasm, and in November, 1885, she
had the joy of seeing eight of them baptized. Two months later the
state of her health made it imperative that she should proceed to Lagos
for a rest. Her husband accompanied her, but both were eager to get
back to their work, and were absent for only a few weeks. But during
that short time much had happened at Ibadan. The natives had begun to
persecute the converts, and some had forbidden their children to attend
the church or mission-school.

One girl who refused to give up attending church was shamefully
treated. A rope was tied round her body, and she was dragged through
the streets while the mob beat her with sticks and stoned her. As she
lay bleeding and half dead the native idols were brought out and placed
before her. 'Now she bows down,' the mob cried; but the girl answered.
'No, I do not; you have put me here. I can never bow down to gods of
wood and stone who cannot hear me.' Eventually, after suffering
ill-treatment daily, she ran away to Abeokuta.

For the next seven months Anna Hinderer continued without ceasing to
teach the children, nurse those who were sick, and adopt any little
girl-baby who had been deserted by her inhuman parents. Then Mr.
Hinderer, after six months' illness, was stricken with yello