Page:Foggerty.djvu/314

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310
The Finger of Fate.

means breaking out of custody. She was found guilty by an impartial jury of me, and sentenced to transportation for life to the other side of the island. She went meekly and uncomplainingly, but, as she took all our cooking implements with her, I was obliged to follow.

This inconvenient life went on for thirteen years. At the expiration of that period my kingdom was visited by a missionary ship, which had driven out of her course. I signalled, and my signals were answered. A boat full of Baptist missionaries put off to us, bearing many bales of tracts for our conversion. They were very much disappointed and disgusted when they heard we were Christians, and when we added we were Protestants, they moodily returned to their boat and mechanically put to sea.

I screamed aloud in my terror at their contemplated departure without us.

Their chief explained that their mission was to convert, and that we needed no conversion.

"You are Christian," said he—"Protestant, and, no doubt. Baptist. What can we do?"

"No," said I, as a ray of hope broke through the clouds that were gathering around us, "not Baptist— Church of England!"

"Ha!" said their leader; "will you let me make a Baptist of you, if we take you with us?"

"I am open to conviction," said I.

"And your wife?" said he.

"This is NOT my wife!" said I, in a passion.

"Shocking, indeed!" said he. "Will you marry her if I take you off?"