The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea CannibalsPaton, John Gibson
Religion
The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea Cannibals
Paton, John Gibson
Missions -- Vanuatu; Paton, John Gibson, 1824-1907
Having persevered along the Learmouth road, I next met a company of men
hastening on with a bundle of ropes. They were on their way to relieve a
poor bullock, which by this time had almost disappeared, sinking in the
mire on the public highway! They kindly pointed me to a light, visible
through the dusk. That was the farm at which I was to stay, and they
advised me to clear the fence, and make straight for that light, as the
way was good.
With thankful heart, I did so. The light was soon lost to me, but I
walked steadily on in the direction thereof, to the best of my judgment.
Immediately I began to feel the ground all floating under me. Then at
every step I took, or tried to take, I sank deeper and deeper, till at
last I durst not move either backward or forward. I was floundering in a
deadly swamp. I called out again and again, and "coo-ee-d" with all my
strength, but there came no reply. It grew extremely dark, while I kept
praying to God for deliverance. About midnight, I heard two men
conversing, apparently at no very great distance. I began "coo-ee-ing"
again, but my strength was failing. Fortunately, the night was perfectly
calm. The conversation ceased for a while, but I kept on crying for
help. At length I heard one voice remark to the other, "Some one is in
the swamp." And then the question came, "Who's there?"
I answered, "A stranger. Oh, do help me!" Again a voice came through the
darkness, "How did you get in there?"
And I feebly replied, "I have lost my way." I heard the one say to the
other, "I will go and get him out, whoever he may be. We must not leave
him there; he'll be dead before the morning. As you pass by our door,
tell my wife that I'm helping some poor creature out of the swamp, and
will be home immediately."
He kept calling to me, and I answering his call through the darkness,
till, not without peril, he managed to reach and aid me. Once I was
safely dragged out, he got my bag in his hand and slung my clubs on his
shoulder, and in a very short time landed me at the farm, dripping and
dirty and cold. Had God not sent that man to save me, I must have
perished there, as many others have similarly perished before. The
farmer's wife heartily welcomed me and kindly ministered to all my
needs. Though not yet gone to rest, they had given up all hope of seeing
me. I heard the kind servant say to his mistress, "I don't know where he
came from, or how far he has carried his bundles; but I got him stuck
fast in the swamp, and my shoulder is already sore from carrying his
clubs!"
A cup of warm tea restored me. The Lord gave me a sound and blessed
sleep. I rose next morning wonderfully refreshed, though arms and
shoulders were rather sore with the burdens of yesterday. I conducted
three Services, and told the story of my Mission, not without comfort
and blessing; and with gratifying results in money. The people gave
liberally to the work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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