246 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
longer, and we will all go together as soon as ever I can 
get away.” 
With trembling, broken voice, but full heart the anxious 
missionary thanked this big-hearted sea captain for his sym- 
pathy and great kindness. Always precious to the heart of 
this sorrowing man was the memory of this captain’s words 
and act. And when in after years he lived in Susa Songa 
in the Solomon Islands, one of the sacred spots to him on 
that island, was the place on which stands a small mon- 
ument to the memory of good Captain Ferguson, who was 
foully murdered on the island of Bougainville by the natives 
of Numanuma. Captain Ferguson was as good as his word, 
and after hurrying to get ready for departure at the earliest 
possible moment, conveyed Mr. Brown and his party to 
New Britain without a cent of expense to the missionary 
society. 
At last, on March 16, the steamer left the harbor and 
sailed away for New Britain. Four days later, just as the 
day was breaking, Captain Ferguson wakened Mr. Brown 
with the welcome word, “Here at last is your New Ireland 
coast that you’ve been so long hoping to see.” Next day 
they arrived at Duke of York Island, and stood close in 
shore. At this place one of the teachers was stationed, and 
it was expected that he could give news of the families at 
Port Hunter. 
Soon a canoe was seen approaching, and in it the teacher 
was descried. When they came alongside, however, Mr. 
Brown’s anxiety quite overcame him, and he could scarcely 
muster up courage to speak to the teacher. When at last 
he attempted to do so, his mouth was so dry and parched 
that he could utter no word. At last, he recovered himself 
sufficiently to ask if all were well at the mission station, and 
was relieved to have the reply, “Yes, sir, all is well.” 
The poor teacher seemed to be ill himself, but assured 
Mr. Brown that he was well. Then in reply to the ques- 
Ben, a a i a a 
