Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/571

KANDI. 533 water. The raft returned, and Mr. Ford and I got on it. We had to leave our dear children behind, except my little girl, whom I carried in my arms. I had wrapped the blanket closely around her, and held her close to my breast to screen her from the storm. She cried very much for some time, and then she moaned a little, and I thought my child was dying. I felt her little face, and it was cold as marble. When, how- ever, we reached the house, she revived again. Our other children were then brought, and the natives carried them up into the mountain and returned for us ; but while they were away, we found that the water had gone down a little : we waited a short time to be certain, and then sent for the children, who were brought back nearly dead. How truly thankful we were to be allowed to remain in this little shed ! About six o'clock the storm began to abate ; but we could not get near our house to get dry clothes ; and if we could have got to the house, we could not have obtained what we needed, as nearly all our things were, or had been, under water. I happened to have some Ono native cloth on a shelf in a native-house, which the flood had not reached. This we cut up into dresses ; and taking our own clothes off*, we wrapped some of it around us, and felt a little more comfortable. Our Teacher cooked us some food, of which we partook ; and then, having engaged in prayer, we spread some cloth on the ground and lay down to rest. What a day this has been ! In all we have passed through, how great has been the goodness of God! What a mercy that it was day! Had the storm come on at night I do not know what we could have done. Our extremity was God's opportunity. One house only was out of water. Mrs. Ford, who was very near her confinement, was wonderfully sup- ported. Blessed be the name of the Lord for all His mercy ! " 17th. — We have been examining our things to-day. Mr. Ford's books are nearly all spoiled, most of them destroyed. Our groceries and clothes are much damaged ; some have been carried away by the flood. Nearly all our things were under water for some hours. The Mission property as furniture, hardware, etc., is very much injured. We shall lose very much. My dear little girl has taken a severe cold, and is very poorly. " 19th. — We have been very busy cleaning things to-day. The house we are in is very damp. Mr. Williams very kindly paid us a visit. " 20th. — Early this morning Mrs. Ford was confined, and she and her son are doing well. My dear child is very poorly. Lord, help us to be resigned to Thy will ! " 31st. — This morning our little girl exchanged mortality for life.