136 arrive at Jacob's farm. 



and the prospect of an abundant harvest, the locusts 

 had come as a scourge, eating up and destroying all 

 their grain. The loss they had sustained also among 

 their flocks had so sadly reduced their circumstances, 

 that they were not only precluded from purchasing 

 " the staff of life," but likewise of obtaining neces- 

 sary clothing, of which they evidently stood greatly 

 in need. Notwithstanding the pressure of these 

 difficulties, they appeared contented and cheerful. 

 Amidst all her troubles the aged mother congratu- 

 lated herself at having three of her sons just admitted 

 members of a Christian church. They very kindly 

 supplied us with a little milk ; when, after having 

 refreshed ourselves and allowed our oxen time to 

 feed, we left these kind strangers, with the sincerest 

 feelings of commiseration. 



Soon after sunset, the clouds, which had been col- 

 lecting during the day, began to discharge their 

 burthens with such violence, accompanied with heavy 

 thunder and lightning, that we were induced to seek 

 shelter under the roof of a farmer named Jacobs, who 

 kindly invited us to partake with himself and family 

 their evening meal, which was just prepared. As 

 the farmers all retire very early to rest, we left them 

 about nine o'clock, and took up our abode in the 

 waggon for the night, during which the storm con- 

 tinued without intermission ; so that in the morning 

 we found the country so completely inundated, that 

 it was impracticable for us to proceed on our journey* 



