Since then he suffers less; and will be soon well, when his
anxiety about you is relieved."
Fritz embraced the kind missionary, entreating his pardon for his
rashness, and adding, "Did my brother talk to you of us, sir?"
"He did," answered his friend; "but I was acquainted with you before;
your mother talked continually of her husband and children. What mingled
pain and delight she felt yesterday evening when the savages brought to
her dear Jack, wounded! I was fortunately in the hut to comfort her, and
assist her beloved boy."
"And dear Francis," said I, "how rejoiced he would be to see his brother
again!"
"Francis," said the missionary, smiling, "will be the protector of you
all. He is the idol of the savages now; an idolatry permitted by
Christianity."
We proceeded through the wood as we conversed, and at last reached the
brook. I had a thousand questions to ask, and was very anxious to know
how my wife and Francis had been brought to this island, and how they
met with the missionary. The five or six days we had been separated
seemed to me five or six months. We walked too quickly for me to get
much information. The English minister said little, and referred me to
my wife and son for all details. On the subject of his own noble mission
he was less reserved.
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