21/22 Here was the explanation of the mystery. Besides his native tongue, he spoke English, German, and Russian perfectly; and he assured me that he knew several other languages equally well. His life had been devoted to missionary work, and especially to translating and printing the Scriptures. He had laboured first in Astrakhan, then for four years and a half in Persia--in the service of the Bale mission--and afterwards for six years in Siberia. The son of one of these two (Galloway) was the only genuine Scotsman remaining at the time of my visit. |