“Do I think it right?” I exclaimed in surprise. “Of course I do. I think it one of the greatest evils that can befall a Christian, that he should become so narrow-minded as to give only to his own church, and think only of his own church’s missions. Why, surely a soul saved, if a matter of rejoicing in heaven, ought to be a matter of joy on earth, without reference to the particular church which was the instrument used by the Holy Spirit for that end. I feel very strongly that all Christians who love our Saviour with deep sincerity must of necessity have a warm feeling towards His people in all churches. At any rate we ought to cultivate such a feeling.”
“Who can these be?” cried Jack, stopping and pointing to some figures that appeared to be approaching us in the distance.
“They are negroes, at any rate,” said I; “for they seem to be black, and are evidently naked.”
“Warriors, too, if I mistake not. They have not yet observed us. Shall we hide and let them pass?”
Jack hesitated a moment, then leaping behind a bush, cried—
“Ay, ’tis well to be cautious when nothing is to be gained by daring. These fellows outnumber us, and war-parties are not to be trusted—at least not if these of Africa resemble those of North America.”
“Hollo! there’s a white man with them,” cried Peterkin, as he peeped over the bushes behind which we were hid.
“You don’t say so, eh? So there is. Come; we have nothing to fear from the party of a traveller.—What, Mak, you shake your head! What mean you?”
Makarooroo increased the shaking of his head, and said, “Me no know dat, massa. P’raps hab more to fear dan you tink.”
“Oh, stuff! come along. Why, Mak, it seems as if gorilla-hunting had failed to improve your courage.”