pots.
All that evening the rain came down in a continuous fall, and every
moment we were occupied in collecting it, till all our receptacles were
full to the brim,--not a shell did we allow to remain empty: and then we
poured it down our throats in a full, refreshing stream. Scarcely were
we satisfied when the rain ceased--the dark cloud blew onward--the stars
shone forth brightly from the clear sky, and we pursued our course.

"The next island we came to was barren--no water, and no nuts; we must
have perished had we been cast on it. Then we reached another with some
inhabitants on it. We understood, in part, their language. Their
ancestors had, they believed, been cast on it wandering as we were
across the ocean. Their canoe had been destroyed, and they had remained
there without wishing to depart. They had been driven forth from their
native isles by cruel wars, in which the greater number of their kindred
had been destroyed. They received us in a friendly manner, and invited
us to remain with them. They had heard nothing of the Truth. The
gospel-message had never reached their ears. From consulting with them
we were convinced that we had been driven so far out of our course that
we should never reach the islands of which we were in search. Here,
however, was work for us to do, pointed out clearly by the finger of
God. We told the islanders, to their joy, that we would remain with
them; and by degrees we opened to their wondering ears the glorious
tidings we had brought. Astonished, they heard, but did not refuse to
listen. Some speedily believed. The news we brought was of a nature
their hearts had long yearned for; it spoke of rest from toil--rest from
suffering--rest from sin. Others, in time, accepted the truth with
thankfulness. Every day we preached, and every day some one
acknowledged himself a sinner, and sought redemption through Him alone
who can give it. At length our glorious work was accomplished. We gave
them books; we taught them to read. We told them that we must depart to
try and reach our own homes. They entreated that one of our number
would remain with them. It was resolved that one should remain to guide
them aright. We drew lots. He on whom the lot fell, without a murmur,
with his wife and family, joyfully remained--though he well knew that he
could never hope again to see the land of his birth, and many dear to
him there. But I am making my story longer than I intended.