There should have been some help obtainable from the Benevolent Halls; but though many subscriptions had been given in the good years, the money could not be accounted for now that it was wanted, and the man in charge committed suicide when faced by the angry people. The wealthy hid their money lest it should be stolen by the bands of fearless robbers who prowled everywhere. Our home was now sold, and as we soon used up the money, there was nothing for it but to join the crowds of starving people going into the cities to seek for help. CHAPTER VI. IN THE GRIP OF FAMINE. On the way to the town, in the blazing heat, and living mostly on roots dug from the wayside, the youngest son, my prospective husband, died of exhaustion. I don’t think any of us minded, as we were too far gone ourselves. I only remember feeling some relief that now I need never be married into that family. How we reached the town I don’t know; but we got there at last, and for a few days lived on a little rice doled out from a temple near the river. The stores of grain supposed to be reserved in every town against famine were found to be bad from neglect, and it was only with difficulty a riot was prevented. The official dared not show his face, as there were rumors that he had been pocketing some of the relief money given by the Government. On the third day we were all of us too weak to fight our way through the crowd to where rice was being distributed. Near by was a shop where a kind of coarse wheat bread was sold. My mother-in-law eyed it hungrily. There were few about, so she went up to the man and whispered to him. He looked across to me, and then I saw him give her a lump of bread, which she clutched eagerly and disappeared down a back street. I never saw her again. She had sold me to the baker for a piece of bread! I was at the time too starved and ill to be frightened, and the man appeared to be kind and good, and told me not to be afraid. He brought me to his wife, a pleasant woman with a kind face, who gave me a little food, and after a while I slept. Then began a new life for me. At first I was terribly afraid lest my old enemy should come back and try to get me away. My new-found friends I soon began to like. The man was a small trader, who had done well in previous years, and though, like all the others, they were hard pressed by the famine, they had money enough to tide them over the worst. They had no children, so the man bought me as a servant for his wife, and I found in her a good mistress.