134 
MISSIONARY LIFE 
for our missionaries when there, which neces- 
sarily is more or less frequent, as that is the 
place at which laborers land in going to the 
mission, where they embark when they return, 
and where they receive and mail letters, do 
more or less trading, and frequently go for 
medical treatment. This would have been of 
great service could we have retained it; but owing 
to straitened circumstances, it had to be sold a 
few years afterward, to enable the Board to meet 
the current expenses of the mission. 
For over six months there were no missionaries 
on the ground. In January, 1857, Bev. J.' K. 
Billheimer, Dr. "William B. Witt, and the writer 
landed in Freetown, the two former as permanent 
laborers and the latter for the special object of in- 
ducing, if possible, Mr. Caulker to consent to the 
establishment of a mission in or near the town of 
Shengay. Several years before, Mr. Caulker had 
been driven out of his town and country by his en- 
emies in war ; and he knew he could return only at 
the peril of his life. lie finally granted permis- 
sion to commence a mission near his town, more 
for the reason that this would give him security 
there than from any other consideration ; and in 
this he realized his expectations, for soon after 
the mission was opened he returned to Shengay, 
and there was permitted to end his days in peace. 
