Certainly that night put my faith to the test. Had it not been the assurance that I was engaged in His service, and that in every path of duty He would carry me through or dispose of me therein for His glory, I could never have undertaken either journey. St. Paul’s words are true to-day and for ever,—“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” CHAPTER IX. _DEEPENING SHADOWS._ Welcome Guests.—A Fiendish Deed.—The Plague of Measles.—A Heroic Soul.—Horrors of Epidemic.—A Memorable New Year.—A Missionary Attacked.—In the Valley of the Shadow.—Blow from an Adze.—A Missionary’s Death.—Mrs. Johnston’s Letter.—A Heavy Loss.—The Story of Kowia.—Kowia’s Soliloquy.—The Passing of Kowia.—Mortality of Measles.—Fuel to the Fire.—Hurricanes.—A Spate of Blood and Terror.—Nowar Vacillates.—The Anger of the Gods.—Not Afraid to Die.—Martyrs of Erromanga.—Visit to the Gordons.—Their Martyrdom.—Vindication of the Gordons.—Gordon’s Last Letter.—Plots of Murder.—Death by Nahak.—Nowar Halting Again.—Old Abraham’s Prayer.—Miaki at the Mission House.—Satanic Influences.—Perplexity Deepening.—Selwyn’s Testimony.—Rotten Tracts.—Captain and Mate of _Blue Bell_.—My Precious Dog.—Fishing Nets and Kawases.—The Taro Plant.—The Kava Drink.—Katasian and the Club Scene.—The Yams.—Sunshine and Shadow.—The Teachers Demoralized.—The Chief’s Alphabet.—Our Evil Genius.—Ships of Fire Again.—Commodore Seymour’s Visit.—Nouka and Queen ’Toria.—The Dog to his Vomit Again. In September, 1860, I had the very great pleasure of welcoming, as fellow-labourers to Tanna, the Rev. S. F. Johnston and his wife, two able and pious young Missionaries from Nova Scotia. Having visited the whole group of the New Hebrides, they preferred to cast their lot on Tanna. During the Rainy Season, and till they had acquired a little of the language, and some preparation had been made of a Station for themselves, I gladly received them as my guests. The company was very sweet to me! I gave them about fourteen Tannese words to be committed to memory every day, and conversed with them, using the words already acquired; so that they made very rapid progress, and almost immediately were of some service in the Mission work. No man could have desired better companions in the ministry of the Gospel. About this time I had a never-to-be-forgotten illustration of the infernal spirit that possessed some of the Traders towards these poor Natives. One morning, three or four vessels entered our Harbour and cast anchor off Port Resolution. The Captains called on me; and one of them, with manifest delight, exclaimed,— “We know how to bring down your proud Tannese now! We’ll humble them before you!” I answered, “Surely you don’t mean to attack and destroy these poor people?”