We embarked, then, after taking leave of Bara-ourou, who was very
liberal in his presents, giving us, besides fruits of every kind, a
whole hog roasted, which was excellent.
We were fourteen in number; sixteen, reckoning the two dogs. The
missionary accompanied us, and a young islander, whom Parabery had
procured to be his servant, as he was too old and too much occupied with
his mission to attend to his own wants. This youth was of a good
disposition and much attached to him. Parabery took him to assist in
rowing when he returned.
Emily could not but feel rather affected at leaving the grotto, where
she had passed four tranquil, if not happy years, fulfilling the duties
of a mother. Neither could she avoid a painful sensation when she once
more saw the sea that had been so fatal to her husband and son; she
could scarcely subdue the fear she had of trusting all she had left to
that treacherous element. She held her daughters in her arms, and prayed
for the protection of Heaven. Mr. Willis and I spoke to her of the
goodness of God, and pointed out to her the calmness of the water, the
security of the pinnace, and the favourable state of the wind. My wife
described to her our establishment, and promised her a far more
beautiful grotto than the one she had left, and at last she became more
reconciled.
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