254 PUBLIC EEGISTEE. 
serious accident to the pastor's eldest son. 
Reuben E. Nobbs, which resulted in what 
appears to be confirmed lameness, are so 
characteristic of the kind and brotherly feel- 
ing subsisting in the island, that they must 
be quoted in full. 
" 1847, Feb. 20th. This afternoon, as 
Reuben Nobbs was out in the mountain, 
shooting goats, his foot slipped, and he let fall 
his musket, which exploded and wounded him 
severely. The ball entered a little below the 
hip joint, and passing downwards, came 
through on the inside of the thigh, about 
half-way between the groin and the knee. 
Providentially, some persons were within call, 
who immediately ran to his assistance, and 
tore up their shirts to stanch the blood, which 
was pouring forth profusely. A lad was de- 
spatched to the village with the melancholy 
news ; and in a few minutes the whole of the 
inhabitants capable of going were on their 
way to afford relief, headed by his affectionate 
mother, who was almost frantic with grief. 
In about an hour they returned, bearing him 
in a canoe, which they had taken up for that 
purpose. After some difficulty the blood 
