to start. It was about two
o'clock in the afternoon, when a strange and painful trial befell us.
Poor dear Mr. Mathieson, apparently unhinged, locked himself all alone
into what had been his study, telling Mrs. Mathieson and me to go, for
he had resolved to remain and die on Tanna. We tried to show him the
inconsistency of praying to God to protect us or grant us means of
escape, and then refuse to accept a rescue sent to us in our last
extremity. We argued that it was surely better to live and work for
Jesus than to die as a self-made martyr, who, in God's sight, was guilty
of self-murder. His wife wept aloud and pleaded with him, but all in
vain! He refused to leave or to unlock his door. I then said, "It is now
getting dark. Your wife must go with the vessel, but I will not leave
you alone. I shall send a note explaining why I am forced to remain; and
as it is certain that we shall be murdered whenever the vessel leaves, I
tell you God will charge you with the guilt of our murder." At this he
relented, unlocked the door, and accompanied us to the boats, in which
we all immediately left.

Meantime, having lost several hours, the vessel had drifted leeward;
darkness suddenly settled upon us, and when we were out at sea we lost
sight of her and she of us. After tumbling about for some hours in a
heavy sea, and unable to find her, those in charge of the boats came
near for consultation, and, if possible, to save the lives of all. We
advised that they should steer for Port Resolution by the flame of the
volcano--a never failing lighthouse, seen fifty miles away--and there
await the vessel. The boats were to keep within hearing of each other by
constant calling; but this was soon lost to the ear, though on arriving
in the bay we found they had got to anchor before us. There we sat in
the boats and waited for the coming day.

As the light appeared, we anchored as far out as possible, beyond the
reach of musket shots; and there without water or food we sat under a
tropical sun till midday came, and still there was no sign of the
vessel. The mate at last put all the passengers and the poorest seamen
into one boat and left her to swing at anchor, while, with a strong crew
in the other, he started off in search of the vessel.

In the afternoon, Nowar and Miaki came off in a canoe to visit us. Nowar
had on a shirt, but Miaki was naked and frowning. He urged me to go and
see the Mission House, but as we had seen a body of men