take in his arms. As the people stayed on while he wrote the particulars
in the register, I played hymns to them. When we got back at about 4:20 we
had visitors till 6:30. They are so pleased to have some one to talk to;
the men come in as much as, if not more than, the women.

I must not forget to record that we had rather a disturbed night on
Saturday. First, there was heavy rain and it came through the ceiling
close to where Ellen was sleeping; then the cat caught a rat under the
table, and Rob went for her wishing to share the spoil. This is the first
rat I have seen here, though I have heard them in the house. They are in
shoals all over the mountains, and eat the fruit in the orchards. There
have been no peaches for years, and there used to be bushels of them. The
people say it is owing to the rats. Graham has spoken seriously to the
men, and told them they should have one day a week for an onslaught. They
did try it one year, and say it made a perceptible difference in the
number.

It was decidedly cold when we first got here, making us glad to have warm
things, and in the evening we appreciated our large open hearth and wood
fire. To-day it is much warmer.

_Wednesday, April_ l8.--On Monday, though not a very good day, the men
went in two boats to fetch more luggage. Unfortunately it came on to rain
hard. In landing on the shore where it is stored they nearly lost their
boats, the surf was so heavy. We spent the morning in pasting strips of
calico along the cracks of the ceiling in our sitting-room; it was rather
a business, but Rebekah came in and helped. At present there is no getting
a rest in the middle of the day, for there is no quiet spot for it.

On Monday night we again heard the rats scampering about overhead, and