MYRTLES AND ROSES. 
69 
^‘THE ‘KATHLEEN,’ 
“At Roda Island, 
“ Becemher 1st, 
Sister dear, 
I am permitted to write a wee bit daily, so I dare say, 
ere the post leaves, this will be almost a letter. I send you a leaf 
of the myrtle and a rose which formed part of a bouquet dear 
Petherick brought to me. The old familiar perfume was almost a 
pain : you can understand, dear. 
I am indeed shaken-such a wreck ! The last few days of our 
river journey I remember not ; but I know that wherever we stopped 
kind, generous people gave Petherick many dainties for me. I was 
then too weak to be able to walk, and was always carried to the 
deck. All the letters have been read and re-read — some of the 
papers too. How can I love your darlings well enough? God 
heard their touching prayers. You cannot yet know that we are 
in safety here, but I think that you must feel it. I want you, 
dear, to give thanks, with ours, in your church to Him who has 
brought us so far.^^ 
“ Becemher 21st, 
We have left the ^ Kathleen,^ and reside now in the 
house of Hassenein ElFendi, and are so much more comfortable. 
Rapidly I regain strength. Dr. Paterson and Dr. Ogilvie have 
paid me a friendly visit. It is uncertain when we leave for England. 
Unpleasant rumours have been circulated against Petherick with 
respect to the slave trade : the calumny is so utterly absurd that 
he waits with impatience to be formally accused.^^ 
