Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/127

 The Admiral said his honour was also concerned, and to satisfy them consciences or save their 'faces' it was agreed to withdraw the armed force in two hours. But in addition to this, letters were written, unwise letters, and letters never intended for publication, and I have no excuse for them. But this I know, there would have been a riot among the negroes if the American armed force had remained on land for 48 hours. It is most deplorable, and I am heartily glad peace was made with the United States authorities, who, I believe, have no designs on our possessions in the West Indies."

Lady Henniker Heaton was in England at the time of the earthquake, and her anxiety was truly great until the welcome cable reached her from Jamaica: "Safe and well." On the return of the "Port Kingston," she went down to Bristol to meet her husband in the early morning. Many of the passengers carried in their faces the memory of the terrible scenes they had witnessed, and some of them returned having left behind all that was dearest to them on earth.

Shortly afterwards, H. H. received a post card from a friend giving the biblical account of an earthquake, and asking if it tallied with his own experience. It was identical: "A great and strong wind rent the mountains and brake in pieces the rocks: and after the wind an earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire: and after the fire a still small voice." There was something mystical in the utter stillness of the night of the earthquake when they lay awake under the stars. Something not of the earth, when a prophetic ear might yet have heard the "still small voice."