CHAPTER XXVIII

Summary

Our prospects were now beginning to brighten. Several thousands of the natives had congregated near us on the opposite side of the valley. They were becoming more settled in their minds. They would collect in the different divisions of the town, where we visited them, and the public attendance at the station daily increased. The school also was better attended. We had for a long time past been hovering on the wings of suspense, but now felt as if we could labour in hope; and though we could see nothing like a change in any one, or even observed real attention, nevertheless we felt a persuasion that we should soon hear the voice of the turtle in the land.

Our pleasure was augmented by the return of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, from the colony, greatly improved in health. We had begun to hope that the confusion and every evil work which had prevailed in all parts of the country, had, like every other display of the uncontrolled passions of man, passed their zenith, and were fast disappearing, with their unfortunate actors, who were falling, one after another, in their unhallowed enterprise. But, alas! while thus congratulating ourselves, a sudden cloud gathered around us; and it is impossible to look back and re-peruse the letters and journals written at the time, without feeling over again, almost all the painful self-denial which we were called to exercise on that occasion.