Narrative of a Moravian Missionary. 95 



birds through tlie swamps and forest, in order to provide 

 themselves, by tlie sale of these natural curiosities in Europe, 

 witli the means of existence in those distant regions. Not 

 without feelings of the keenest emotion and deepest sympathy 

 is it possible to peruse the description given by one of these 

 missionaries, Father Hansel, of his mode of life on the 

 island of Nangkauri, where he lived for seven years amidst the 

 greatest privations and hardships. "On my frequent excur- 

 sions along the sea-coast," says the noble, high-souled 

 missionary, '' it sometimes happened that I was benighted, 

 and I could not with convenience return to our dwelling: ; 

 but I was never at. a loss for a bed. The greater part of the 

 beach consists of a remarkably fine white sand, which above 

 high-water mark is perfectly clean and dry. Into this I dug 

 with ease a hole large enough to contain my body, forming a 

 mound as a pillow for my head ; I then lay down, and by 

 collecting the sand over me buried myself in it u^:) to the neck. 

 My faithful dog always laid across my body, ready to give 

 the alarm in case of disturbance from any quarter. How- 

 ever, I was under no apprehensions from wild animals ; 

 crocodiles and caimans never haunt the open coast, but keep 

 in creeks and lagoons ; and there are no other ravenous beasts 

 on the island. The only annoyance I suffered, was from 

 the nocturnal perambulations of an immense variety of crabs 

 of all sizes, the crackling noise of whose armour would some- 

 times keep me awake. But they were well watched by my 

 dog, and if any one ventured to approach too near, he was sure 



