kuta for defence had not been kept in repair-Gezo had indeed often threatened the city, and a few months before this the chiefs had been warned that his army was really preparing for the attack; but though Sagbua and some of the chiefs had strengthened the walls belonging to their townships, the others had not believed the report, and a great deal of the wall was untouched. And now they knew it was too late, the cruel, powerful king of Dahomey was actually upon them. Where could they turn for help? Some hearts in Abeokuta could answer. Those who had the worst to fear from the enemy were the missionaries and their converts. Yet on this distracted Sunday morning the only quiet spots were the churches, where the Christians were gathered together as usual for worship. The Yorubans' refuge, their city that had been a shelter from the slavers, was failing them, but the Psalms they read that morning reminded them of a safer refuge. "The Lord also will be a defence for the oppressed, even a refuge in due time of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in thee, for Thou, O Lord, hast never failed them that seek Thee."

The Isaggans kept their promise. On the Monday morning they brought the great army against the south-west wall of the city-the best way for the Abeokutans, for it was the very part which had been repaired.

Here the Abeokutan soldiers were gathered, and a fierce struggle began. They were only half the number of Gezo's army, and were not so well trained for fighting. Hour after hour the battle went on, till towards evening the Dahomians gave way. Darkness was coming on, and the Abeokutans rested before the next day's fight, for they knew the enemy were not likely to give in after one struggle. But when they rose the next morning not a warrior was to

be seen. The Dahomians had lost so many soldiers that they dared not venture upon another battle.

But though they could not destroy Abeokuta, there was one enemy whom they were determined to crush. The Isaggans who had deceived and betrayed them, they at least should not escape. On the Tuesday they marched against the town, but the Abeokutans followed them, and were able to save their friends from destruction. The Dahomians at last drew back defeated to their own country, to which they had expected to return in triumph with a train of prisoners. They could not understand how the small army of Yorubans could resist their strength. But we know that it was God who gave the victory to Abeokuta. Satan wanted through them to rob the Yorubans of liberty and life to body and soul; but the loving God, who had given them these treasures, would not let the evil one take them away.

Even the heathen who had shouted in the battle to Ifa and to Shango to deliver them, yet said when the victory was so soon gained: "It was too wonderful, the God of the Christians must have sent it." They stopped for a time at least all ill-treatment of the converts, and many chiefs sent their children for the first time to the Christian schools. And the Missionaries and their wives who had been in danger of torture and cruel death in a heathen land, far away from any friends who could help them; what a deliverance God had sent to them! I think they must have heard His voice speaking to them as He spoke to King David long ago, "Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen ;" and like King David their hearts must have answered, "The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."

A SUMMER EXCURSION.

HAT a pleasant sound the words have! They tell of busy packings, of pleasant journeys by rail, by steamer, or by coach, of happy arrivals at sea-side, river-side, hill-side, among green fields, wide commons, and shady woods. We expect that many of our readers are now enjoying their summer excursion, for indeed our friends, young and old, seem to be playing at "general post;" all on the move for the summer holiday, and the little ones have listened to many eager discussions as to the place where the holiday time shall be spent. But among all the places mentioned neither Flying Post nor Matawakumme are likely to be of the number. Perhaps you will say, "No, indeed we do not even know where they are." So we must tell you they are distant parts of that large parish round Hudson's Bay which Dr. Horden described to us last month. You shall hear of his summer excursion to these places, and when you have read his account, you will perhaps be glad that your journeys are not spent in rowing against rushing rapids, dragging luggage across portages eight miles long, or sleeping on the wet ground under marquees. Dr. Horden had travelled from his chief station, Moose, to New Brunswick, about which he wrote to us once before (July and August, 1871).

We must hurry away from New Brunswick. We take a small but heavy canoe, the only one to be had, and three Indians for a trip across the country to Flying Post. We glide across Brunswick Lake, and a few hours bring us to the end, where we come to a long portage, over which we carry everything. Our journey is indeed along a solitary, difficult, dangerous way, there is no traffic on it; it is travelled over by no one except by the Indians in quest of game, it is too crowded with portages, many of them long and

very swampy. Here is our second day's work. Carried canoe over portage two miles long to a small, sluggish river, which brought us to the first of a series of lakes, the last of which is about thirty miles long, and called Wapasateka, Capes of Asp; six miles of crooked and narrow river brought us to a short portage, having crossed which and a small lake, we came to a terrible portage three miles long : carried everything over to the bank of a beautiful lake, through which we paddled to the foot of another three mile long portage.

Here is another day. Made portage of half a mile over a hill, ascended a small rapid, and then paddled on until we came to the foot of a rapid fully three miles long and very dangerous. To lighten the canoe I determined to walk through the woods, and a pretty walk I had of it, it was rather a series of awkward tumbles, for there was no path, and the trees grew close together, and often being doubtful of the way, I had to get to the river's bank, which was by no means an easy matter in that hilly region. To add to my troubles a fearful thunder-storm came on, and the rain fell in torrents, which soon soaked me thoroughly. After hours spent in this way I came to a bend in the river where the water was almost as still as that in a fish-pond, and I here awaited the arrival of my men. They spent five hours in the ascent of the rapid, in which they had been in the greatest danger of perishing. When we had encamped with trees all round us, we had much difficulty in lighting a fire; I wrapped myself in blankets under my marquee, and lay there till a fire having been coaxed to burn, a good, strong cup of tea, the traveller's comfort, was brought to me, and was drunk with an enjoyment unknown to my little friends.

After seven days' travelling we came to the end of a lake, and there left our canoe; we had now