, how earnestly I prayed, and I am
sure so did Oliver and Grace--we saw her sail away from the land. We
hastened homeward, that we might get a last look of her from Flagstaff
Rock. The _Hope_, instead of proceeding out to sea, was now standing
along shore. How pretty and light she looked as she glided by. We
continued waving an adieu, but I do not think those on board could have
seen us; indeed, we could only just distinguish them as they stood on
the deck. Away, away she sailed towards the east. She went in that
direction because Mr Thudicumb believed, from the way the wind blew
when dear Walter was carried away from the land, that he would have been
driven to some place in that direction. The wind was light, so that she
continued in sight for a long time. We could not tear ourselves away
from the spot. How well was she called the _Hope_; for our hope was
strong that she would find him of whom she was in search. Gradually she
became smaller and smaller, and less distinct; and now her hull was
entirely hid from view, and we could see only the white canvas above the
ocean. At length that began to descend in the horizon, and a small
white speck alone was visible, gradually decreasing in size till it
disappeared altogether. I could not help regretting that we were not
all on board, but those who knew better than I do decided it otherwise,
and so I do my best to silence my regrets. It is a good thing, too,
that we have Oliver with us. He exerts himself not so much to keep up
our spirits, as to show us how we ought to think and feel; and he proves
clearly that as God knows best what should be done, we should bow humbly
to his will, whatever may occur. What a blessing it is to know that God
watches over us, and arranges our affairs for us better than we can for
ourselves, if we show a readiness to submit to his will. It would,
however, be a hard trial should the vessel return without having found
Walter. My uncle is kinder than ever. He seems to understand how
anxious I am, and continues to try and find employment for us. We have
a number of curious birds to feed, and some poultry which escaped the
Malays having been found, we take care of them, as also several animals
which require being attended to.

Among the most precious and beautiful were several birds of paradise,
prized above all others in the collection. The first I will mention was
called the superb bird of paradise. The plumage was black, though