sional men of great influence in the city and some women. Many
others, although not professed disciples, showed by their acts that they
sympathised with the Christians and would do what they could for them.

In December, 1821, Dr. Price, a medical missionary, arrived with his
wife from America, and soon afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Hough returned.
Though the missionaries were left in comparative peace, they well knew
that severe measures might at any time be taken against them. Every now
and then there came rumblings of the threatened storm, and one of the
chief converts was obliged to flee from the city on account of
proceedings being started against him for his change of faith.

A few months before the arrival of Dr. Price, Mrs. Judson had so broken
down in health that her husband decided to send her to America for the
long sea voyage. She first went to England, where she received a warm
welcome from many Christians, and then she proceeded to the United
States, where she spent the winter. Medical men in America were
unanimous in advising her not to return to the East, as they said her
state of health was such that she would probably die before long if she
went there. But nothing could keep her back from what she felt to be the
post of duty. "I cannot prevail on myself to be any longer from Rangoon
than is absolutely necessary for the preservation of my life," she said;
so in June, 1823, she started on the return journey, accompanied by
another missionary and his wife.

CHAPTER VII.

PRISONERS OF WAR.

When Mrs. Judson reached Calcutta on her return voyage to Rangoon, she
was informed that war might break out at any time between England and
Burmah, and was strongly advised not to attempt to go on. But she was
determined to rejoin her husband at once, and finding that a vessel
would start for Rangoon in a few days, she took a passage in it. She was
not to stay long in Rangoon, however, for the Emperor had ordered Dr.
Price and Mr. Judson to take up their residence in Ava. Dr. Price was
already there, and Mr. Judson had only stayed at Rangoon to meet his
wife, on the understanding that he should set out for the capital as
soon as possible.

The missionaries attempted to carry on their work at Ava in the same way
as they had previously done at Rangoon, but the public mind was in too
excited a state just then to permit of much progress being made. The
Emperor had for some time treated the English Government with ope