threw them into the river," explained Kosa.

Dorcas looked as though she were going to faint, but Thomas, rising to
the occasion, remarked:

"Come on, dear. The dead are always with us, and what better company
could we have than the dust of our sainted predecessor."

"I would rather have his room," murmured Dorcas, and gathering herself
together, proceeded to the hut.

Somebody opened the door with difficulty, and as it seemed to be very
dark within Thomas struck a match, by the light of which Dorcas peered
into the interior. Next second she fell back into his arms with a little
scream.

"Take me away!" she said. "The place is full of rats."

He stared; it was quite true. There, sitting up upon the dead
missionary's bed, was a singularly large rat that did not seem in the
least frightened by their appearance, whilst other creatures of the same
tribe scuttled about the floor and up the walls.



Dorcas slept, or did not sleep, that night in the wagon with Tabitha,
while Thomas took his rest beneath it as well as a drizzling rain that
was falling would allow.