and must therefore have expired elsewhere; and that this was mercifully ordered, for in his own state of weakness he could not have removed the body."

"Doubt

"But he was not alone," said Mr. Campbell. less, in the valley of the shadow of death he was able to say, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.' And although the valley was long and lonely, I believe it was never dark to the faithful servant of Christ."

For some minutes all were silent, and even little Fanny shed tears.

"And they were starved to death," said Anne, weeping. Oh, that must be so dreadful a way of dying!"

"I recollect," said her mother, "when the first news came to England, and I, like every one else, was so greatly shocked and distressed, a friend gave me some comfort by observing, that from their long time of illness and weakness, we may believe that death in the end came more from exhaustion than actual starvation, at least to most of them. And the very last words which Gardiner was able to write, on September 6th, are these:-'I neither hunger nor thirst, though five days without food! Marvellous loving kindness to me a sinner!'"

There was another sorrowful pause, and then George said,

"Mamma, true religion is a wonderful thing."

"Wonderful, indeed; and never were its triumphs more gloriously proved than in the case of these noble Chris

tian sufferers.

God grant that we may be as happy in

our dying hours as they were!"

"But how was it all found out at last?"

"It is too late to tell you this evening, but next Sabbath I hope to continue the history of the Patagonian mission."

"Then it was not given up, mamma," said Anne. "Oh, I am glad of that!"

"No, these faithful martyrs did not suffer and die in vain. Their prayers were answered, and the good work for which they willingly laid down their lives is still going on."

AW

III.

KEPPEL ISLAND.

HEN next Sabbath evening came, the children were eager to hear more particulars of the sad Patagonian story.

"How was it all found out, mamma? Did a ship go at last to seek them?"

"The good merchant, Captain Gardiner's friend in Monte Video, was greatly distressed when he found that his orders had not been attended to by the captain of the second vessel, which he meant to have visited the mission party. He sent off another immediately for the same purpose. But this was not till weeks after all was over. The ship reached Banner Cove on October 21. On the voyage, when passing Staten Island, a poor shipwrecked crew, who had been cast upon its barren rocks a month before, were mercifully discovered and saved from perishing of hunger. But this delayed and overloaded the vessel."

"Did they find the bottles with the papers safe?"

"Yes, and saw the writing on the rocks, and so sailed for Spaniard Harbour. Here they found the Speedwell in Cook's River, with one dead body on board, and another on the shore, with books, papers, and other things scattered around. The captain and sailors' cried like children at the sight.' But just then a violent gale arose, and the captain dared not stay to examine further. He put out to sea at once with his overburdened ship, carrying the sad news to Monte Video."

"Then did he not discover where Gardiner had died?"

"No; but meanwhile friends in England were becoming greatly alarmed, and having failed in every other quarter to secure the help they needed, they applied to Government. On October 25, 1851, the Admiralty ordered the Dido, then sailing for the Pacific, to make the required search, and bring the needful provisions to the missionary party. She reached Banner Cove on January 19. Captain Morshead, her commander, seeing the directions on the rocks, sailed to Spaniard Harbour, and sent some of his officers on shore there. They soon came to the wreck of the Pioneer, and found the body of Captain Gardiner. On a rock near was a drawing of a hand, and under it, 'Psalm lxii. 5-8.' Let us read these beautiful verses.

'My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the

rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.'

George then asked what the hand pointed to.

"It directed the sailors towards the cavern where the poor sufferers had so often taken refuge. There they found the body of Mr. Maidment. Hastily collecting what books and papers were at hand, they hurried on board again with their mournful tidings. On one piece of paper was distinctly written, 'If you will walk along the beach for a mile and a half, you will find us in the other boat, hauled up in the mouth of a river, at the head of the harbour on the south side. Delay not, we are starving.""

"When Captain Morshead read this, although the weather was most threatening, he felt that at any risk he must wait another day. Next morning he went on shore himself, and soon found the Speedwell. With sorrowing hearts the sailors collected together all the mortal remains of the faithful martyrs, and after reading the beautiful burial service of the English Church, buried all in one grave beside the Pioneer, placing a small inscription on a rock above; then collected everything that seemed of value, and returned to the Dido. They lowered her colours, and fired three volleys of musketry as in honour of an officer's funeral, and then left the fatal shores."