Scene II. The Treasure-finders

[The cabin of the barque Elgiva, anchored off Santa Isabel (formerly Clarence), Fernando Poo, August, 1869. Cabin table in centre, with benches. Open porthole in back scene. A chart or map pinned on wall to right of porthole. Pegs to left with oilskin coat and sou’-wester, and captain’s pilot coat. Door of cabin, RIGHT. Chest or box against wall LEFT. Capt. Wm. ROBINSON is seated at table (L) in shirt-sleeves, for it is hot, writing. A knock comes at the door, which stands open.] 

ROBINSON: Come in! [Enter Ship’s Carpenter JAMES HANDS, followed by T.R. PRINCE, a native, in loose European dress.] Ah, it’s you, James - and friend Prince, I see. [PRINCE inclines his head.] Come and sit down. It’s about the mission work, I suppose. You want me to write a letter, don’t you? [They sit, HANDS at back, PRINCE on R. of table.] 

HANDS: Yes, Cap’n, if you would be so good, I think it would help. I have written to Brother Crook at Liverpool, as I mentioned to you, telling him about the work here, and what an opportunity there is. 

ROBINSON: Yes. That’s good. 

HANDS: I hope he will stir up the Boundary Street Society, perhaps with the advice of Mr. Wilkinson, the minister, to take some steps in the matter. But I fear I didn’t put it very well—I’m a rambling sort of hand at a letter—and I thought if you would write and explain things too, seeing we are both members there, it might have more weight. And Brother Prince, here, is willing to draw up a letter to the General Secretary at London, Mr. Antliff, and get some of the main Christian folk here to sign it; and so, going three-fold, so to say, the appeal may be surer of getting considered. 

ROBINSON: I think that’s not a bad idea. Let me see, now: what, roughly, did you tell Brother Cooke?  

HANDS: I told him how we came here, three weeks ago, and how going on shore in the way of my work I was asked to go and see a sick man, and how I found he was a coloured man, but knew the Lord. Then how I had preached, and discovered other coloured folk who had received the Gospel. I told him a bit about what I had been able to do for the Lord whilst you were across at Bonny, Cap’n, and said I was sure we could found a society here for Primitive Methodism if the Connexion was willing to take it up. 

ROBINSON: Ay, ay. Good! Didn’t you tell me there used to be a Baptist mission here at one time?  

HANDS: That’s right, Cap’n. Brother Prince will be able to tell you about that.

PRINCE: Yes, Cap’n. Baptists came 1842 and did good work for the Lord for 16 years. Fernando Poo was under British Government then, but in 1858 the Spanish come back and bring Roman Catholic faith, and hinder the work so bad that Baptists was have to go. For ten years we have no missionary, no shepherd for the sheep. We shall be too glad to have missionaries once more, and there is great deal of work to do.

[PRINCE is a trader, a native of Sierra Leone, where he received some education. He speaks almost correct English, very different from the “pidgin” spoken by some of the later characters—unless he is speaking to some of these, when he sometimes adopts their idiom.] 

ROBINSON: Yes, friend, the need is very plain. Where did the Baptists go to? Did they return home? 

PRINCE: No, suh. Mr. Saker, who was missionary here when the trouble come, went over to mainland—to Congo country. He took all the things of the mission there.

ROBINSON: I see. They would not be likely to come back, I suppose? 

PRINCE: No, suh, I not think so. We have talk about sending to Dr. Crowther, the black Bishop on the Niger, to ask his Church to send missionaries. But now God sent Mr. Hands to preach to us and we have much blessing, so we like to ask his Church.

ROBINSON:  What about the Spanish? I suppose there wouldn't be likelihood of trouble with them again? 

HANDS: I think not, sir, since the revolution in Spain. You see, they have ordered liberty of worship in all Spanish dominions. And the Popish priests are not doing much here now. 

ROBINSON: That’s a good thing, though I don’t trust these Papists overmuch. Anyhow, I’m glad of the work you have been able to do, James, and I earnestly hope good will follow from it.

PRINCE: We should be glad if Mr. Hands stay and do God’s work with us, Cap’n. 

ROBINSON: Yes, I know, and he would be willing to do so, and I should be glad too if it could be managed; but I dare not spare him from my ship in these troublous waters. Maybe he has already done the work God wanted him to do among you, and if I can help in any way to further the Lord’s interests here I shall feel it a privilege. It seems to me there’s a real opening for Primitive Methodism here. 

HANDS: I am sure, Cap’n, that Providence has prepared the way, and if our Connexion makes a beginning God alone knows where it may lead to.

ROBINSON: I’m of the same opinion, James. Now then, let me see. [Making notes.] I shall explain about freedom of worship. And that some amount of English is spoken .. But better, I think, that anyone sent here should know Spanish. 

HANDS: It would give a better chance of work amongst them - and they need! We’ve had several attending the meetings. 

ROBINSON: Good! I’ll note it. Then I’ll mention the success of your work, James, and how you would gladly continue if you might. 

PRINCE: Tell them, suh, a house will be found for the missionary, and a church. We’s been making a collection for a church.

ROBINSON: Yes, I’ll say that. But books, Bibles, etc., must be sent, of course. 

HANDS: School-books too, sir, because there’s no schoolmaster here. 

ROBINSON [still taking notes]: School-books. Right! … And I shall point out, too, that there’s a vast field for future development within reach of this Island. I have seen, myself, miles of coast across there where there is no sort of a missionary. 

HANDS: Ay, sir. Give them the full view. If God blesses the work it’s bound to get across the Gulf. 

ROBINSON: Very good; I will put the letter together to-night, and may God further our designs! [Rises, on which others rise also.] Friend Prince, you will bring me your letter to-morrow, then all can go by the mail together. And now I must be seeing after that cargo. I’m hoping to sail in a few days. 

HANDS: We are having a meeting at Mamma Job’s to-night, Cap’n. 

ROBINSON: All right, James. Go by all means, and the Lord bless your gathering. I’m afraid I have too much to do to-night. That is a remarkable woman—Mamma Job! Ask her to remember me in her prayers. [Walking about them to the cabin door, RIGHT.]

HANDS: I will, sir, and thank you for your help and interest. 

CURTAIN as they go out.