"Why, that we've got to start right along or we'll be stuck here and won't be able to get away at all."
"But I can't abandon the mission!" said Newbegin in wonder.
"Certainly not!" echoed his wife placidly. "After all these years we cannot desert our post!"
"But the rioters!" ejaculated the boy. "You'll be murdered! Wu will be here before night, they tell me, and there was a precious crowd of ruffians at the gate as I came along. Why, you can't stay to be killed!"
Newbegin shook his head.
"You do not understand," he said slowly. "We came out here to rescue these people from idolatry. Some of them have adopted Christianity. There are forty women and children converts. There are others who are almost persuaded; if we abandon them now we shall undo all our labor. No! we must stay with them, and die with them, if necessary, but we cannot go away now."
"Great Scott!" cried the boy, "do you mean to say that——"
"We cannot desert our post," repeated Mrs. Newbegin, looking fondly at her husband.
"But—but—" began the boy.
"Even if we die, there is the example," said Newbegin.