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Updated: May 11, 2025
At length the gale ceased, the canoe no longer tumbled about, and the heat of the sun's rays as they shone upon the glass-like surface of the ocean on which we floated was intense in the extreme. Abela urged the crew to get out their paddles, but they answered, as I had expected, "we cannot live to reach the island, and when our food and water are exhausted, we will lie down and die.
These remarks of Abela will show that she had made great advances in Christian knowledge, and was well able to instruct her young niece. Lisele came back with us to the school, which my mother, although weak and suffering still, insisted on superintending. I think that she herself was not aware how ill she really was.
Abela, although she had not begun her studies till about two years before this, read very fairly, but she was especially powerful in prayer, and her whole heart and soul seemed lifted up as she poured forth her petitions seldom failing to exclaim, "Lord be merciful to me a sinner." The hours passed on, and we felt that an all-powerful hand was protecting our frail bark from the fury of the seas.
"But I am not fit; I could not be received there, if Jehovah is the pure and holy Being you say He is." "You will be fit to go the moment you accept the offers Jesus makes you, and you are sure to be received there," answered Abela, and once more she explained to him the simple plan of salvation.
Mrs Norton laboured devotedly as a catechist, and rendered the greatest service to Mr Arnold in his work, while Maud and I assisted Mrs Arnold in the girls' school, as we had been accustomed to do under my dear mother, while Abela was of great use among the older women. Two years passed by, when it was announced that the "True Love" was once more entering the harbour.
Lisele then eagerly poured forth what she had been hearing, so rapidly, that I could scarcely follow her. "It is all true," said Abela, when her niece at length ceased speaking. "I praise Jehovah that you know it." When, however, Lisele told her of her wish to go back to her father, Abela hesitated.
Our friends having taken the baskets, and the remainder of our provisions, we set off down the ravine, which led, as we supposed, towards the sea-shore. I immediately inquired of Abela if she had heard of my father.
How glad we were again to see Abela and her companions, and to comfort them in their sorrow, for they believed that they should never again see their native land. Young Tofa, however, was perfectly content. "I shall learn more about the religion of Jehovah, and that will be my support wherever I am," he observed.
Maud and I, with Abela and the other women, sat close together in the little hut on deck. I observed that Mr Norton and Tofa had come nearer us as if to try and prevent us from being washed away should a sea break on board, which it appeared too probable would occur. The canoe was excessively buoyant, or she could not have escaped being overwhelmed.
"Here, my daughters, you will remain safe till the heathens, having searched for you in vain, take their departure," said Abela. "I know this spot well, for before Masaugu's father conquered the territory he now holds, I and my family dwelt in the neighbourhood. I discovered it as a girl when rambling about the mountains with my brothers, who are dead, and no one else is acquainted with it.
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