LETTEK FROM REUBEN. 285 
proved that there was a rupture of some blood- 
vessel. The doctor was sent for immediately ; 
and after a little while the bleeding was checked. 
I was taken home, and matters appeared to be 
going on favourably, with the blessing of God, 
and the kind attendance of Dr. Ancrum, till 
about two o'clock next day, when another fresh 
discharge of blood occurred, succeeded in the 
course of that day and night by two others, the 
iast of which left me on the very verge of eternity. 
" The next day Dr. Ancrum had me brought 
up to the hospital ; but the motion in coming up 
caused another abundant flow of blood, so that 
when I reached here I was reduced to perfect 
helplessness. Since then, however, there has 
been no fresh discharge; and with God's blessing, 
and the kindness of both Dr. and Mrs. Ancrum, 
I am slowly regaining my strength. Dr. An- 
crum very kindly allows Francis to come and 
stay with me the whole time, and is of opinion 
that the climate does not agree with him either, 
as he is not so well and strong as on his arrival 
here. Dr. Ancrum appears to have consulted 
with Mr. Miller and the Kev. Mr. Hill ; and 
they have decided that, if it pleases God to 
spare me, we must return home as soon as pos- 
sible. So they will look out for a vessel bound 
for Tahiti or Australia for that purpose. 
11 How different it was last year ! This very 
day last year, I was getting my things on board 
the Portland, with every imaginable joy, and the 
next morning started on our happy trip to dear 
Pitcairn. But, dear Admiral, there are no such 
pleasant prospects now. We received a few 
