THE PASTOR'S SERVICES. 191 
tinned to receive much benefit from the services 
of Mr. Nobbs, " as their religious teacher, their 
schoolmaster, and their doctor." During an epi- 
demic which prevailed in 1848, from the attacks 
of which not more than twenty out of one hun- 
dred and fifty escaped, Mr. Nobbs attended 
them from house to house, day and night, for a 
period of two months, with great success ; only 
one, an infant, having died. 
On his proposing to accept a free passage to 
Valparaiso, that he might accompany thither 
his eldest son Eeuben, and then return to his 
people, the whole of his adopted countrymen 
came and begged that it might not be so, as 
they could not bear to part with their pastor 
and friend. This appeal prevailed ; and, on 
Reuben's quitting the island for Valparaiso to 
settle in the world, the father gave the whole 
of the money he possessed, amounting to eight 
dollars, to his son. All the families joined in 
fitting the youth out to the best of their power, 
furnishing him with a supply of clothes, and 
making up altogether a purse of more than 
forty dollars, several contributing every cent 
they had. 
Mr. Nobbs afterwards received, by Commander 
Dillon, of the Cockatrice schooner, in 1851, seve- 
ral gratifying letters from Reuben. This young- 
man had acquired the esteem and confidence of 
his employers, merchants at Valparaiso, and was 
much valued by all who knew him. But it was 
deemed right, after a few years' residence there, 
that he should return to Pitcairn's Island, in 
compliance with the wish of his mother, who 
