we reached the summit of "Camel's Neck;" the men were far behind, and we reined our horses upon one of the highest points till they should come up. The thunder ominously muttered its deep-toned bass among the frowning grey peaks, and flashes of lightning played around our heads. Suddenly the curtain of night settled down upon the earth, the clouds discharged a deluge of their watery contents, and we were enveloped in gloom. After calling and shouting to the loiterers and hearing no reply, Mr. Walker left me to search for them; and when they came up, the rain had obliterated every trace of the mountain paths, and they scattered in various directions to seek the road. And again I was left in utter silence and mortal terror lest my horse should step backward, and be precipitated into some fearful abyss. Now the Badveli would come and lead him for a little, and then in the thick darkness I would again be left alone, till Yakob lent a helping hand. At last it was deemed too dangerous for me to remain mounted, and crawling slowly down among jagged rocks, feeling in every direction, lest in the impenetrable night a misstep might dash me down some unseen precipice, I tried to lead the horse, who came plunging down behind me; but finally gave up the attempt, and left him to his fate. Every now and then the good Badveli would come to take my hand, bemoaning our helpless situation, and saying, “O my sister! I fear this night of exposure and fatigue will cause your death!" and I endeavored to hearten him with words of hope and cheer. At midnight we reached the foot of the mountain, by following a sure-footed mule accustomed to the road; but again lost our way, for the rushing stream which usually flowed at its base, was now multiplied to half a dozen. After wandering among the fields

for awhile, we came out upon the right road, and were hoping that the worst was over, when two of the Persian packhorses began to fight, and a flash of lightning showed them standing upon their hind feet, pawing at each other, while uttering the most unearthly screams, and our own steeds started back in terror. This was frightful, and gave an additional shock to already overstrained nerves, though not a word was uttered, and the two belligerents were soon separated.

As we neared the village of Komk, not a glimmer of light cheered our eyes, and fears were expressed that we might not easily find a place to spend the remainder of the night. But the sound of approaching feet brought out a villager with his lantern, who welcomed us to his great stable, where, with eight buffaloes, six oxen, a number of donkeys, cows, calves, and horses as companions, we speedily made ourselves at home. The warmth imparted by these animals. was our salvation after the fatigue and exposure of the last fourteen hours, and we were very thankful for so comfortable a shelter. A fire soon blazed at one end of the rude platform where we had bestowed ourselves for the night; a cup of tea was made, and eggs were boiled, of which the others partook with zest after their long fast. But again my appetite had entirely failed, and rest was all that I cravedif, indeed, the strained nerves and muscles, and stiffened bones would succumb to sleep, instead of revenging themselves by refusing to relax the cruel tension. . . . . . We reached Harpoot in good season the next day, and after a Sabbath of refreshment, our good brother Walker hastened back to his home and work. Another week found

me again at my duties in the school-room, little conscious

that what was deemed but a natural reaction and depression of the system, would surely swell the aggregate of an account for which much-wronged and inexorable nature would demand "compound interest" in future years of weakness and suffering.

24

CHAPTER XIII.

SOWING AND REAPING IN ARMENIA.

ERY well; but if, as you say, 'a little learning is a dangerous thing,' why then give us a nine years' course, with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. That's just what we want." This was said by Ghazeros, one of a class of twenty-three men in the Theological Seminary at Harpoot, whom I was teaching in Mr. Wheeler's place,-at his most urgent request-while he and his family were absent for a month at Malatia.

His argument that the influence upon them would be most salutary and elevating, while at the same time it released a fully-equipped missionary for general and most important work in the field-finally overcame my scruples; and when the other missionaries added the weight of their conviction to his plea, the novel task was accepted, though not without much shrinking. When I first entered the Seminary room and took my seat in the "professor's chair,” I could see the smile on many a face; but nerved myself for the undertaking, and assumed a courage by no means felt in the presence of men whose ideas of woman were of necessity very low as compared with dur own countrymen. For the first few days the constant tension proved very exhausting; I was studying my class, and they were equally engaged

in testing my ability as a teacher. Though not taught in schools, they had long studied God's Word, and some of them were thinkers of no mean order. Several were old helpers, brought in for a season of more thorough Biblical instruction and training in other studies, and one was a converted priest.

The colloquial of some of the villagers required an incessant strain of attention to catch their meaning; and there was an evident effort on the part of two or three forward ones to puzzle and entrap the "Varzhoohi." But at the close of our first week's review, I took occasion to speak of our relations as teacher and pupils-that I did not come there to show them how much I knew, or to find out how wise they were; but simply to assist them, so far as in my power, in that which they desired to learn; ending with a word of kind acknowledgment to those who had been gentlemanly and attentive. This had the desired effect, and with the exception of an occasional hint to one who was remiss in study (which quickly brought the color to his face), no further reminder of their duty was needed, and they were uniformly as polite and respectful as could be desired.

We were spending an hour and a quarter each day in the careful study of the Book of Acts, and very lively and profitable discussions arose upon various points connected with the Apostolic method of preaching the gospel. I quoted our Savior's example in His training-class for missionary service, as an illustration of the estimation in which the Master held the heavenly wisdom, in comparison with earthly knowledge and human sciences, which He "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," did not impart