ii8 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
is not one that would be drowned because of the sad- 
ness of her going away. It is sweet to me to think 
of my Minnie, and the time will come when— in the 
assurance of a Redeemer’s love, and of a reunion — the 
memory of our darling little Clara will be sweet and 
helpful to you, and not altogether sad.” 
The steamer that carried the mail had also on 
board Mr. Crudgington, returning from England, 
who was accompanied by one new missionary — Mr. 
Dixon ; one of six — six being the least number which 
it had been felt the exigencies of the Mission 
demanded. On finding their strength was only 
increased by the addition of one new man, Mr. 
Comber was much disappointed. However, he looked 
up to the God of heaven, and in trustful confidence 
determined to go forward, hoping that soon the full 
contingent asked for would be forthcoming. He 
knew that upon Mr. Baynes, the General Secretary of 
the Society, who had done so much to inspire interest 
in the Congo Mission, he could fully depend. Very 
soon after Mr. Crudgington left England with Mr. 
Dixon, another missionary, in the person of Mr. 
Weeks, was sent out, who again was followed almost 
immediately by IVfr. Butcher. 
The appeal for a sectional steel boat was not made 
in vain, a friend at Plymouth, after the name of which 
town it was named, supplying the need. This par- 
ticular boat was required for navigation along the 
reach on the lower river between Isangila and 
Manyanga. From Musuka it was conveyed by water 
as far as Vivi. At the time of its conveyance the 
Congo was in flood ; and Mr. Comber described the 
effort as being terribly wild work in boiling, seething 
water, rapids, whirlpools, and cauldrons. The land 
transport also involved great labour and no little 
anxiety, owing largely to the scarcity of carriers 
obtainable in the country itself, and the disgust of the 
Kroo boys in having to go over the same ground as 
many as fourteen times. The journey, though only a 
