As soon as Mr. Dunbar heard that his son was held a prisoner by this cruel nation, he sent to Constantinople a large sum of money, hoping to procure his release. This was all that it was possible for him to do, except to offer prayer to the God of nations that the ransom might be accepted, and his son returned, once more to bless his sight.

This last resort was not neglected; for Sabbath after Sabbath, during many long months, public prayer was offered in the church where the family worshipped, for this desired object. Days passed slowly; it seemed as if the weeks and months would never disappear, to his friends at home. The anxiety of this afflicted family led them to wish to learn whether the conditions proposed for the liberation of James would be accepted, yet they dreaded to hear from the city of his imprisonment, lest they should receive intelligence which would extinguish every ray of hope that they had presumed to cherish.

Dark forebodings constantly filled the mind of the father. He was naturally inclined to look upon the gloomy side of things, and on this occasion, was strongly disposed to despair.

The health of his wife was affected by what she endured on account of her departed daughter; and she was quite unprepared, in a physical point of view, to endure this new and severe trial. This excellent woman, however, sustained by the precious promises of the gospel, strove to lighten, if practicable, the sorrows of those dear ones by whom she was surrounded.

Henry was a great help to her in this arduous task; and his efforts, too, were the means of consolation to the

youthful Jane. Though young, she had early tasted of the bitter cup of affliction, and her buoyant spirit had been chastened and sweetly subdued.

She was ardently attached to her brother; and now that her beloved and only sister was removed from her society forever, in this world, she felt his absence to be a heavier trial than it had previously been.

His absence, under such circumstances too, was deprecated, not only by near relatives, but by all to whom the unfortunate young gentleman was known. He was the subject of conversation in every social circle in the place of his birth, and also made the subject of prayer by every Christian with whom he was acquainted. Many were the petitions offered for his safe and speedy deliverance from Turkish captivity.

The faith of Mrs. Dunbar was severely tested, in this prolonged season of trial. At times she was tempted to feel that it was of no avail to wait, in the exercise of humble submission, on Him who controls the affairs of mortals; but still, she was generally enabled to sustain her spirit by leaving her cares at the throne of grace. Thus she was made a solace to her husband, who, it was greatly feared, at times, would become a maniac.

Mrs. Dunbar felt her strength decay almost constantly, and resorted to the use of means to endeavor to benefit her health. Still, she complained not, but ever wore a smile of resignation upon her placid countenance.

Jane, however, was a quick observer of any change visible in her beloved mother. She saw the languor of her frame, which could not be concealed, and feared lest she was to be deprived of this excellent parent. She

hinted her fears to Henry, who, ever after the death of his amiable wife, had been a constant inmate of the family. He strove to dissipate her anxiety, by inspiring a hope that she might be deceived, while at the same time he was not free from a secret foreboding of the evil this affectionate daughter so much dreaded.

While there was much at home to divert the thoughts of Jane from the situation of her beloved brother; and she, weary with anxiety on his account, had just begun to allow the hope she had indulged of his return to ripen into something like expectation, unexpected news was brought from abroad that if a larger sum should be immediately sent out for his ransom, he would be suffered to return to his friends. The sum of ten thousand dollars was demanded. Mr. Dunbar, on receiving this information, resolved at once to pay it, without the least delay; though he murmured that he was obliged to do so.

Mrs. Dunbar encouraged him to feel grateful that he had it in his power to advance the sum; and begged him never to allow himself to think that twice, or even fifty times that amount was to be valued, when compared with the redemption of a beloved child from the worst of slavery.

'I don't want those tyrants to be gratified by receiving such an unreasonable demand,' said Mr. Dunbar.

6

'It is hard,' replied his companion, for human nature to submit to the endurance of wrong thus inflicted; but we should consider that wicked men are often allowed to chastise us, and we should strive to improve every such dispensation of a righteous Providence for our future good.'

'Such moralizing does not reconcile me to the loss I have so unjustly sustained,' responded the old gentleman; 'however, as I so much desire once more to behold our dear James, I could not withhold the amount, for to be deprived of both Rebecca and him is more than I can long endure.'

man.

After the last remittance had been sent, confident hopes were entertained of the long-wished for return of the young His mother, however, scarcely dared to hope that she should be permitted again to see his beloved face; for she was sensible that she was the victim of a fatal disorder. She felt her strength decay more and more rapidly, as each successive week passed by, and it was evident to all that she was fast following Rebecca to the world of spirits.

The idea of death was not gloomy to her mind. Still, she fondly wished to live to behold once more her son, and prayed that she might be allowed this privilege. At times, it seemed that her frail life could not be prolonged until James could reach his home.

This was a trying crisis to each member of the family. The natural sternness of Mr. Dunbar was half subdued; and as he contemplated the breach male by death in the domestic circle, and looked forward to the prospect of his dwelling being again invaded by the grim messenger, and considered the possibility of never again meeting with James, he imagined himself the most miserable of men.

The society of Jane and Henry was regarded by the father of the former as indispensable to his comfort; and he was unwilling to have either of them absent from him, even for a short time. Strange as it may seem to some, the father went so far as to express a wish to his wife that

Henry might become the partner of their remaining daughter.

This fact was a great consolation to the mother, as was also the reflection that Jane would not be called to experience the displeasure of her only parent when she was gone; aware, too, that her happiness would be enhanced by a union with Henry, she was free from anxiety on her account. In the fulness of her soul she often said, in view of the future, that if she might gaze but once more upon the beloved features of her James, she should be fully satisfied.

She was obliged, however, to renounce the hope of realizing this fond and last earthly desire. She did so with much calmness, and for some time expected daily to be summoned to another world.

While the inmates of the dwelling of Mr. Dunbar were thus situated, James was crossing the mighty deep, on his way to his much longed-for home. He was ignorant of the early death of his beloved sister; and, although he knew that his father was opposed to having her receive the attentions of Henry, he did not even dream that he could have carried his aversion to her choice so far as he had done.

While on his voyage homeward, he thought much of the pleasure he should experience, in meeting this dear sister; for, next to the society of his mother, he valued that of Rebecca more than any other.

James was conscious of having endeavored to fulfil the important trust his father had reposed in him, as he had been commissioned to transact business for this parent; and he rejoiced much in view of the prospect of soon