80 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
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 wa- 
BOTA ih, 
“January 17.—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 prop- 
erty, 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. 
““10th.—We have been very busy cleaning things today. 
The house we are in is very damp. Mr. Williams very kindly 
paid us a visit. 
“ 20th—My dear child is very poorly. Lord, help us to 
be resigned to Thy will! 
“ *31st.—This morning our little girl passed away. Poor 
little sufferer! all thy pain and trouble are over. Dear as 
thou wert to us, we give thee back to Him who calls thee 
