"
"Ma," said the chief, "my people are afraid of the white man's juju. It
makes the people sick." He meant the vaccination.
"The vaccination may make a little sickness, but it keeps you from getting
the big sickness," said Mary. Then she told them how vaccination had helped
other tribes. She showed them her vaccination. After a long talk with the
chiefs and the people the matter was peaceably settled.
Mary wanted to keep in touch with her former headquarters at Ikotobong. She
made many canoe trips back and forth. These trips were very hard on her and
she did not rest well. Many people wondered how Mary could keep on working,
but she trusted God who made her strong to carry on.
During 1911 a tornado struck Mary's house at Use, one of the stations. She
fixed the house herself. During this she strained herself and had a heart
attack which was followed by a severe fever. Sometimes the fever was so
great she was delirious. But still she would not stop working. She
continued to teach school and hold worship services on Sunday.
Dr. Hitchcock of the Slessor Hospital came to see her every week.
"You must not go to Ikpe again," he said. "You must not ride your
bicycle. You must spend more time resting."
But Mary disobeyed the doctor and held services the following Sunday. It
was too much for her. She almost fainted before the service was over.
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