A suppressed cry burst from his lips, and, falling on his knees, he poured forth his soul in prayer.
While he was yet on his knees, a cry of anguish arose from one of the huts at the foot of the hill.

It died away in a low, heart-broken wail.
Mr.Mason knew its meaning well.

That cry had a special significance to him.

It spoke reproachfully.

It said, "There is comfort for _you_, for where life is there is hope; but here there is _death_." Again the word of God came to his memory,--"Weep with them that weep." Starting up hastily, the missionary sprang over the black beams, and hurried down the hill, entered the village, and spent the greater part of the remainder of that night in comforting the bereaved and the wounded.
The cause of the pastor's grief was not removed thereby, but the sorrow itself was lightened by sympathy; and when he returned, at a late hour, to his temporary home, hope had begun to arise within his breast.
The widow's cottage afforded him shelter.