About that time the premises were, with the ald of a! can of] kerosene, fired, and it appeared to the two hidden women, that the walls even were forced. It was thought that they might—still in the buildings, and" 20 the audits determined "to de Jstroy them with the building, Indeed some ten days later, a chief, Fwho met men who came to sce me, asked if the ladies were burnt with {the building. Thetr hiding ream was Jonly about 15 yards distant. from the house which was totally destroy-fed, with of course all our goals that had been left, Our serving woman had from the first known of the hiding place, and during the two ant a half days that} it was used, she risked exposure to bring along' some food. More than lonce she was found about the place, jand before the burning, had' been [severely beaten because the bandits suspected that she knew of the hiding place. This faithful woman fused to tell, and 20 placed us unde a debt of gratitude.
The getting across was a most wonderful sight. A large number [of boats formed a pontoon, and over it the thousands of bandits. were to be seen driving over the still Larger number of captives, with a ind] rush, and. with revolvers ready to Kill any would-be escaper. Such fa'sight I never want to see again, but yet it was thrilling.
On that night I was in an agony 'o£ mind concerning the school girls land spent the night with much prayer, The next morning I gave out that I must soe the General. This} }was not granted but the secretary was sent to me instead.
2 army some years ago. I told him that I had deep concern about the school girls, fearing that they mizht Jcome t serious harm, acd urged that [they might be speedily released. 1 Jalso made request for a half-witted child of a helper of ours that I tad seen among the captives, and finally, jured the seriousness of my own [position - in having been taken captive and at such a time when my wife needed me so sorely. I suggested that a speedy release would assist one to make some favourable n to authorities on his] behalf, such an opportunity would resent itself.
My words receiv good heed, the secretary went away to see the chief. Scon after he returned and my great relief told me that the girls and the boy would be released [that day, and that when they left the city T too would be set at liberty. Had this course been pursued might have been well, but 1 was; allowed to leave two days beters Wat took place, and so o-sued a [worse captivity by far some 30 hours.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.