She stated, also, that upon the island where she lived there were some hundreds of fisher-folk, and that a very deadly disease, that she supposed to be diphtheria, was among them.

The only doctor in the whole group refused to come to them, because he feared to take back the infection to the other islands.

Indeed, so great was the dread of this infection, that no helpful person would come to their aid except an English priest, and he was able only to make a short weekly visit.

It was some months now since the disease had first appeared, and it was increasing rather than diminishing.
"Come," said the letter, "and do what you can to save the lives of these poor people--their need of you is very great; but do not come if you are not willing to risk your life, for you will risk it.

Do not come if you are not willing to be cut off from the world all the months the ice lies in the gulf, for at that time we have no communication with the world.
You are a good man; you go to church, and believe in the Divine Christ, who was also a physician.