tection. Night overtook the party in the dense forest, not many miles from Kaeo. We withdrew from the path into a secluded spot that we might not attract the notice of any straggling foe. When the day dawned, the tent, and whatever was carried by the natives in the way of baggage, was securely hidden in the forest, each one marking the spot where he had deposited his load, and then we proceeded towards Hongi's encampment. As soon as the valley of Kaeo opened, there were seen the abundant crops of Ngatipo, who had now forsaken the place for ever, and the natives began to regale themselves upon the water melons, which were lying about in great profusion. Suddenly a movement was observed among the foremost natives, which showed that there was an apprehension of danger. The rest all rushed forward, when five or six men, armed with muskets and hatchets, were seen among the bushes standing at bay, gazing silently on our party. It was soon known that these were Hongi's followers, and about 150 more presently came up, all armed. They had come to forage for the rest of the army. As we passed up the valley we saw the work of desolation on every side; the dwelling-houses were all burnt to the ground, and all moveable property had been taken away. But the sight of the late Mission station was still more melancholy. The black ashes of the wooden buildings and of the stack of wheat alone remained to mark the spot, while the grave of Mrs. Turner's infant had been disturbed, and the coffin broken open, in hopes of finding some relic of value. Hongi was encamped about five miles further on, within one of the pas he had taken. How different was the state of things a few weeks before, when its former inhabitants were dwelling in security. Not one of them was now remaining. Those who were not killed had fled for their lives, and it was in pursuing the fugitives in the woods with a very few followers that Hongi received his mortal wound. FOUNDERING OF A SHIP IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. Two of our Missionaries, the Rev. E. Sampson and the Rev. G. Shirt, appointed by the Parent Committee to the Western-India Mission, embarked at Gravesend August 20th, on board the "Ulysses" for Bombay. That ship never reached Bombay, having foundered in the Indian Ocean on November 15th. The following letter from Mr. Sampson, dated Bombay, December 28th, gives the details of their dangers and deliverance. Doubtless by this time you have heard the sad news of the foundering of our ship, as a telegram was sent from here on December 21st. Surely the Lord has led us by a way that we knew not. Our voyage, on the whole, was a strange one. Our troubles commenced as soon as we reached the confines of the Bay of Biscay. We encountered a severe gale going through it, though it was only of about ten or twelve hours duration. After it was over, apparently, for the first time, the pumps were set going, and from that day (September 29) unto the day she foundered, the pumps had to be worked once every hour during the twenty-four; indeed, sometimes oftener. Seeing that such was the case, I suggested that I might, if possible, be put ashore at Madeira, but the officers thought I was afraid, and answered that there was no room for fear. However, we soon got fine weather, and still the ship had to be pumped. I had grave misgivings about reaching Bombay in the unfortunate "Ulysses," although she was a clipper ship of nine years, registering 934 tons. She had 1100 tons of iron alone on board, as well as a general cargo. All went on after this fashion until we came to the Cape of Good Hope. Here we met with bad weather. We had one heavy south-west gale, the effects of which she never recovered from. As the latter bad weather was experienced just before entering the southern tropics, or meeting with the regular south-east trade-winds, we naturally conjectured that we were not done with bad weather. However, the Lord's ways are not as our ways. Although now in the steady trade-winds, yet the old but sacred proverb is still true-"The wind bloweth where it listeth." So it was on the evening of the 13th of November. We had a most extraordinary sunset. Scarcely had the sun fallen below the western horizon when the whole heavens were overcast with a very strange-looking appearance, and arrested our attention. The colours were truly magnificent, but very wild-looking. A very delicate fawn colour was visible towards the horizon, whilst above it appeared a beautiful mauve colour, and a brilliant rose colour seemed to cast its glare over both. We looked at it. We wondered what could be the reason of such a sunset in the tropics. Little, very little did we think that it was but a precursor of our coming doom. The following morning, Wednesday, the 14th, augured badly. It set in with a fresh breeze, which soon changed its position, and increased in fury every hour. Sail was shortened, and towards evening it was deemed advisable to lessen it still more, in order to relieve the ship, if possible, from the heavy strain which was upon her. But very little relief was experienced. She laboured very heavily. What alarmed me most was the sudden fall of the barometer. We knew that it never fell so low in the tropics-29° 65'except when there was bad weather anticipated. Anxiously did we watch the glass, if we might see it ascend to its regular range-30°-but the ship was doomed to sink, before it would again rise so high. We had a nasty short head-sea on, which was telling fast upon the ship. About ten o'clock the first officer reported that the ship was quite dry; and about eleven o'clock she received a great shock from a sea striking her on the fore channels. About eleven o'clock, the first officer, fearing something had gone wrong, proceeded to investigate the hold, when, to his astonishment, he found fully four feet of water in it. The captain being informed of it, determined, if possible, to keep the ship afloat until daylight. Accordingly the pumps were worked incessantly, but faster than it was pumped out did the water come in. As it made its way into our cabins, it seemed as the messenger of death. But, thank God, it did not unduly alarm us. We knew it was the Lord's doings. As we were not fully aware of the ship's real condition at the time, Mr. Shirt and myself determined to try and get some rest, as we had scarcely any the two previous nights. The attempt was almost a fruitless one. Yet I managed to get a little rest for about thirty or forty minutes. But waking suddenly, I was much surprised to find the motion of the ship, which was before lively, now heavy and lifeless. Immediately afterwards I found out that our ship was sinking as fast as possible. We thanked our heavenly Father that He had not let the water-flood overflow us, neither did He suffer the deep to swallow us up. Our position was bad, but it might have been much worse. We remembered that our blessed Saviour once watched the timid disciples when in the storm on the sea of Galilee. Although far away upon the mountain top, yet his omniscient eye saw them "toiling and rowing." So we were fully persuaded that even now our gracious Saviour was looking down upon us from his glorious mediatorial throne. He came not to us as to the disciples of old, in bodily presence, but He did come to us in the consoling and comforting power of his Spirit. We found that we, too, had the same blessed Saviour to deal with; for although we did not hear the audible voice commanding the winds and the waves to be still, yet it was apparent that the order had been given, for by half-past five the wind had died away almost to a calm. We prayed and prayed again and again. No sooner were we up from our knees, than we were down again and again, We knew that it was our only refuge. Accordingly, we besought the Lord to keep us afloat until daylight, in order that we might abandon the sinking ship in safety. I remember on one occasion asking the Lord impatiently to hasten the rising sun, as though his power was limited. It was fearful to think of all of us being engulphed in the sea in darkness. Oh! how we did long and wish for the breaking of the morning. Paul and his companions never wished for it more earnestly than we did. But the morning dawned at last. What a fearful spectacle the main deck, flooded with water, presented to us as the grey dawn of the morning appeared; ropes, pieces of wood, &c., from the cook's apartment floating about in all directions. Now that we had the daylight, no time was to be lost in launching the boats, for leave the ship we must, or go down with her. Soon the long-boat was launched, but not without much difficulty, and even danger. Then followed the life-boat and pinnace. The next thing was to get some water and provisions on board the boats; hut this was found almost impossible, owing to the heavy swell which But as the captain's gig, which was fast to the davits, was not yet lowered, we filled it with provisions, and succeeded in lowering it in safety. Mr. Shirt and myself, being the only passengers on board, wrought at the pumps, encouraging the men, and speaking a word to them about their souls' salvation. How happy we felt, knowing that, though all boats might fail, yet the ship of salvation would ride through all the tempest and foam. All the boats being now launched, there was no time to lose, but at once to get clear of the ship, as she was going down fast. Besides those in the boats, the captain's daughter was the first to leap into the boat; Mr. Shirt and myself soon followed; and about nine o'clock on Thursday morning, the 15th November, all were clear of the ship. The four boats lay-to a short distance from the ship, to see what would become of her. We had not long to wait, for about ten o'clock she sunk to rise no more. Her disappearance was very sudden. As we were looking at her, she gave one heavy plunge, a dip, when a report like a cannon was heard, and in less than an instant not was on. an atom of the ship was visible, save a few pieces of wood floating on the smooth surface. It was a dreadful sight to behold, but the Lord in a wonderful manner sustained us. She went down in the Indian Ocean in lat. 18° S., and in long. 73° E. The captain believes it was a cyclone, but it was evident that we were only on the borders of it. The sea was very bad. The boats now being arranged for sailing, we decided upon steering for the nearest land, which was the island of Rodrigues, about 600 miles distant, bearing south-west from us. As the gig was useless, We it was sent adrift. In the life-boat there were the first officer and seven men, and in the pinnace the second officer and six men-twenty-nine souls in all. In the long-boat there was the captain, his daughter, Mr. Shirt, myself, and ten of the crew. The two former only had a compass. During the day all went on well, but when night came it brought many fears with it; but having the moon, we managed to sail up to one o'clock. Previously it was arranged that we should show lights to one another after the sun went down. Signals were several times exchanged, but, strange to say, the moon had hardly waned before we passed the second officer's boat. Since that time to the present no account has been heard of them. It being now rather squally, we lowered our sail, and lay-to until daylight. As soon as the day dawned we were under sail again, it being useless to make search for the missing boat. This day, Friday, November 16th, was spent crouched up in the long-boat, exposed to a vertical sun. In the morning we had prayer to our gracious God, to thank Him for preserving us during the night, and to pray Him to keep us during the day. Although we had fresh preserved meats in the boats, yet we could eat nothing. Being much worn out from want of rest, we grew very much down-hearted as night again drew on. were in a sad state. The night had a wild-looking appearance. As I looked to the heavenly bodies shining in all their beauty, I felt how lonely we were. Will the Lord, I thought, forsake us? I wept in prayer to our blessed Saviour, as I looked upon the two little craft tossing on the mighty waters. As a matter of course, we were very wet, both from rain and salt water. Being very tired, we were able to sleep a little, even. though the water was coming over us in all directions. We had many squalls during the night, but especially during the early part of the morning. During the night we assisted in baling out the boat, and in keeping the watch. At length the Saturday morning came, and you could see almost despair written on all our countenances. We were cramped and cold after the night; then when the sun arose we were half baked. We all felt very much dispirited. We were commencing to entertain very little hopes of ever reaching the island. But God's deliverances always come in the right time. Our extremity is his opportunity. So it was-just as we were in the act of desponding, a gallant sloop hove in sight. Oh what feelings and emotions swayed our hearts! It is impossible to describe them. Hope revived. We blessed God for such a token of his favour. So soon as the captain saw the course the ship was steering, he ordered the first officer to steer in one direction, whilst he steered in another, in order that either one or the other might fall in with the ship. But soon we discovered that the ship had left the life-boat far behind. This indeed was a critical moment. There was every reason to fear that the ship would pursue her course without their being noticed. The captain now put the long-boat about, so as to send her in her course across the ship's bows; but even yet every thing depended upon their being seen. It was very early in the morning, and the captain, with his glasses, soon ascertained that there was one man only on deck, the helmsman, so that, in fact, their preservation depended upon this man's seeing them. Amidst the dangers which they had passed through prayer had been the great resource of the Missionaries, and earnestly and urgently did they pray now that the Lord would open the helmsman's eyes so that he might take notice of them. There were a few moments of suspense, the ship advancing on her course, and the boat yet far on one side, when suddenly the backing of the mizentop-sail showed that the ship was heaving to, and that they had been seen. Great, indeed, was their thankfulness and joy, and soon both crews were safe on board the "Braunstom," bound for Kurrachee, from London, by whose captain, officers, and men they were treated with the greatest kindness until they were landed safely at Bombay. The time which was apparently lost in searching for the missing boat, was the means of their lives being saved: but for this delay they would not have fallen in with the "Braunstom." We shall never really lose by persevering in the path of duty, however inconvenient it may seem at the time to do so. Our Missionaries have proved the efficacy of prayer. Throughout the difficulties of their Missionary course may it ever be their sure resource, until eventually, having faithfully discharged the measure of work appointed to them, they reach in safety the haven of everlasting rest! POETRY FROM THE PEN OF KHUSHAL KHAN, AN AFFGHAN CHIEF COTEMPORARY WITH THE TIMES OF OUR CHARLES 1ST. Let then every man have the remembrance of death before him. The dust of man is leavened with the water of mortality, If thou considerest it well, the term of life here is nothing; |