I06 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
Crudgington extracted the bullet — a square piece of 
ironstone — which was imbedded more than an inch in 
the muscles of the back. Mr. Comber is doing very- 
well, and, with the exception of his wound, is in 
excellent health. 
‘‘ Please excuse this hurried scrawl. I am writing 
immediately, so that you may have the news as soon 
as possible. By next mail I expect Mr, Comber will 
send you a fuller account of the whole affair, and a 
view of its bearings on our work for the future. Mr. 
Crudgington is sending with this his official report of 
the extracting operation and the state of Mr. 
Comber’s health, which, I again assure our friends, is 
most satisfactory.” 
Unfortunately, as the bullet wound was making 
satisfactory progress, Mr. Comber was overtaken with 
a serious attack of fever, so serious that fears were 
entertained he would not recover. But under Mr. 
Crudgington’s skilful treatment the fever subsided, 
the wound was completely healed, and in a short 
time Mr. Comber regained his usual health. 
Great, however, as had been their difficulties, the 
missionaries were undaunted in their efforts to reach 
the Pool. “ Would you be surprised and scared,” Mr. 
Comber wrote, after a while, to his father, “ if you 
heard I was again travelling towards Makuta ? We 
are hoping that the Great Overruler for good will 
turn to the best account the unfortunate shooting 
business — yes, overrule it for good, and make that 
the cause of the opening of the long shut road. A 
great palaver is being held at Makuta, and every one 
is said to be threatening our enemy, Bwaka-Mata, if 
he does not let us pass. Of course, if it is settled on 
our side, I shall make sure before setting my foot 
on such inhospitable ground again, and shall not go 
unless escorted by Congo men. I think these pre- 
cautions necessary after what has happened. Oh, I 
do pray God to open this road for us, and to lead us 
right on to Stanley Pool soon.” 
