( 252 ) March 2nd, 1840.
This was a day of great darkness, fear and sadness; I wanted to renounce Bertha and give myself entirely to the Lord, but the memory was too strong, the pain too great.
March 3rd, 1840.
As I stood up, the words came to my mind with unusual vividness: “All things are possible to him who believes.” While I was still thinking about this, I received a very comforting and hopeful letter from Pastor Kavel.
Early in the morning the
Pitta, who were joined by other tribes, had a game called
Kuruanko, which consisted of snatching a handful of ostrich feathers from someone's hand. Eventually the game became so serious that 4 - 5 spears were thrown by both sides.
In the evening with Br. Teichelmann at Preacher Stow's, who told us that he had learned that some of our brothers were on their way here. Maybe sent by Gossner
(204)?
March 4th, 1840.
I wrote to Bertha that I had received a letter from Pastor Kavel and probably information about the actual reason for her resignation, accompanied by the effect it had on me and other thoughts. I received a small note from Bertha in response that she was surprised that it was so difficult for me to pray: Lord, your will be done! with the request that from now on you leave her completely alone; as she still needs some time to fully make up her mind about her decision. I had a sad, very anxious evening. Br. Teichelmann and I prayed together, but not about my matter.
( 253 ) March 6th, 1840.
This morning the natives had a quarrel, which in the evening became such a violent argument that I feared it would not go away without serious consequences. The reason for this was that a
Wirrameyu, named
Yurinna, had abused
Ngauwaitpinna's wife, which the latter wanted to avenge on the former. He would hardly have escaped with his life if his compatriots had not strongly protected him; During the argument,
Kadlaitpinna tried to kidnap
Yurinna's wife, apparently in retaliation for his crime, but she was stolen away from him by another. Towards the end of the argument, the
Yurinna of
Ngauwaitpinna voluntarily gave himself a severe blow on the head with the ring-tailed lemur; for what reason? Since the
Wirrameyunna were believed to be famous magicians (
Nurallarrulla), it was generally believed that
Yurinna and his friends would enchant the waters of the river, so much excitement arose.
The
Marimeyunna, on the other hand, are believed to be the bringers of rain and hail.