Sketches from Formosa.

146
SKETCHES FROM FORMOSA
consented to accompany us to the chapel to see what could
be done. A long and very minute investigation took
place that afternoon, and our friend was told that if he
returned next morning the Doctor would undertake an
free him from
operation, which would almost certainly
his awful misery. We were greatly pleased that he kept
his promise to come ; thus enabling us to make arrangements
for him to have two days of complete rest and
taking in as much nourishment as possible, before coming
in contact with the lancet. He was an hour and a half
under chloroform, and I thought that the courage and
cautious, skilful work of my young colleague were a great
credit to him. I need not here go into such details as
picking up the gushing blood-vessels, or deft needling
of the flaps ; but may add that, at the close, I had the
excised mass put into a wide-mouthed glass jar, immersed
in strong native spirit, and a label fastened outside giving
a concise account in Chinese of the whole transaction.
Our patient was not allowed to get up for a week, during
every hour of which he was attended to by one or the other
of us, both by night and by day. When he began to feel
somewhat comfortable, a small looking-glass was placed
before him, but had to be immediately removed, as the
broad, grateful, and joyous smile which spread over his
features was too great a strain on the stitches. I do not
know if the result of all this was what might be called the
" "
conversion of our humble friend, but it is simple truth
to say that he shed copious tears of gratitude on parting
from Dr. Lang, and would even have worshipped him
if he had been told to do so. We really must have a
place for that stage where men are seen only as trees
walking. The poor barber may not have added many
names to our Baptismal Roll, but may God send us many
more such strenuous experiences as we had that time in
the secluded little chapel at Taw-kun-eng !