MISSION TO SUNDI. 
87 
that an immense cloud of locusts passed over the 
city, and committed dreadful ravages in the sur- 
rouDding country. In this calamity the people 
had recourse to the missionaries, who, reminding 
them of their sins, immediately ordered a solemn 
procession. This did not produce any effect ; but 
they continued their operations, till at length, 
after one of their solemn exorcisms, a high wind 
arose, and swept away those destructive intruders. 
The glory of this deliverance, in the eyes of a 
superstitious people, was readily ascribed to the 
missionaries. The fame of this event reached the 
ears of the duke, who was then on the opposite 
side of the Congo, and excited in him a curiosity 
to see those by whom so signal a miracle had been 
wrought. Father Jerome therefore crossed the 
river, and repaired to the prince's residence. Ar- 
riving late at night, he was lodged, from respect, 
in the largest house ; but, when day-light appear- 
ed, was petrified to discover that he had been 
sleeping in an idol's temple. However, in the 
morning, he was introduced to the prince, who 
received him very cordially, lent a ready ear to 
his instructions, and soon became a complete con- 
vert. He always delayed, however, on very in^ 
sufficient grounds, the entering into that full con- 
fession, which was required by the missionary. 
This inducing a strict inquiry into his life and 
conversation, it soon proved, that nine concu- 
