^ 6 . /?./^ 1^;> PRINCETON, N.J. ^ Purchased by the Mary Cheves Dulles Fund. BV 3625 .B54 B76 1865 Broadbent, Samuel, 1794? 1867. A narrative of the first 1 nt rnr^nrt i nn nf A NARRATIYE OF THE FIRST INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY AMONGST THK EAROLONG TRIBE OF BECHUANAS, SOUTH AFRICA: BEIEF SUMMARY OF THE SUBSEQUENT HISTOIIY OF THE WESLEYAN MISSION TO THE SAME PEOPLE. BY THE EEV. SAMUEL BROADBENT. 2 CoK. XI. 26, 27. J UN IQ 1914 Helm. 7 33 16 ditto 33 ditto. 16 13 Groots 3> Groote. 20 20 Ealdo 33 Euklo. 25 14 ditto 33 ditto. 33 10 We 33 He. 38 18 Erafsagai 53 Eratsagai. 73 12 Buttapees 3J Batlapees . 84 33 7 Modeema 3» Modeemo, 115 33 6 Va 33 Oa. 116 22-30 Bautse 33 Bantse. 121 11 ditto 33 ditto. 133 ]3 Lattakoou 33 Lattakoo. 155 32 Waterhouse 33 Whitwort h FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION, CHAPTER I. Occupied in Missionary Labour in Namacqualand — Eeceived Informa- tion from the Missionary Committee, London, to proceed to the Bechuana Coimtry — Delayed by Drought in the Desert — Thunder- showers — Enter upon the Journey — Leave Reed Mount — Quaggas and Zebras in the Deaert— x\ccident to the Wagon while descend- ing a steep Hill — Joined by our Conductors — Bad Water — Awful Desert — Arrive on the third Day at Water and Grass — Kabbas — Arrive at the Orange River — Proceed eastward — Intense Heat — Cross to the North Side — Sudden Tlood — Griqua. After having been occupied as a Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary at Cape Town, witli tlie Rev. B, Shaw, I joined the Rev. E. Edwards in Little Namacqualand. In the midst of our work, among the Hottentots at Khamies Berg and Reed Fountain, I received instructions from the Missionary Committee, in London, to attempt the forma- tion of a Mission station in the Bechuana country. Imme- diately, without conferring " with flesh and blood," I com- menced preparation for the arduous journey, in which I was to be accompanied by my wife and child, and maid- servant. We were told that; owing to long- continued drought, it would be impossible to cross the desert that lay between us and the Great River, until rain fell. We remained, therefore, at Reed Fountain nearly three months ; where. 2 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. and at some adjacent places, I and my wife found work to do, among half-castes, Hottentots, and Bushmen, and were greatly encouraged with the success given by the Divine blessing to our efforts. Those among them who gave evidence of having received the grace of God in truth, were recommended to join the station at Khamies Berg, where they would have the means of grace, and be under pastoral care. From that place, Mr. Edwards sent me word that thunder- showers had begun to fall in the desert to the north ; and that a wagon had arrived from the Great Biver, and would in a short time return. On receiving this infor- mation, I rode over to Khamies Berg, and entered into an arrangement with the owners of the wagon, that they should convey me and my family to the Great River, and that one of them should drive our oxen to Griqua Town. All things being ready, we departed from Reed Mount, amid the regrets and tears of the people; pome of whom accompanied us a day's journey, and remained until we set forward on the following morning. We travelled through a barren and desolate land, in which we saw no living creature beside our own party, except when the quagga or zebra passed ; reminding us, in their lonely course, of some impressive imagery of the Hebrew prophets. (Jer. ii. 24, and Hos. viii. 9.) On the third day we had to descend a steep ridge ; the wagon bounding from rock to rock, sometimes down a step of between one and two feet deep. A long strap was tied to the top of the tilt, the other end of which I held in my hand, in order that when I saw the wagon sway, I might endeavour to prevent it upsetting. When descend- ing one of these steps, the chain which locked the hind wheels broke, and I was drawn with my chest against the wheel so violently, as to give me much pain at the time, and leave mischief from which I suffered for years afterwards. When the accident happened, we were not far from the bot- tom of the slope ; and, though the oxen were unable to check CHAPTER I. 3 its descent, the wagon with, its passengers providentially escaped injury. Whilst delayed a few days, repairing the damage - our wagon had received, we were joined by the party who had come from the Great River and by a border farmer, or Boor, who, hearing of our exjDedition, availed himself of the opportunity of crossing the desert in our company. His errand was to barter with the people dwelling near the Great River. January 1st, 1822, on the border of the desert, was one of the most uncomfortable days that I spent in Africa The heat was almost past endurance, the wind blew in strong gusts, bringing suffocating clouds of dust from the sea of sand around us ; even an ostrich that passed us, ran with open mouth, as if gasping for breath. As the sun declined, our oxen were yoked ; and, about evening twi- light, we arrived at a spring of water. Its taste and smell were very bad, and both men and cattle that drank of it suffered severely ; the latter writhing in the yoke with pain. Yv"e had two teams of oxen ; and, about midnight, changed one for the other in the yoke, and again at the dawn of morning. "We cast our eyes around upon "a waste howling wilderness," with not an object to relieve the gaze, except a fleet zebra which crossed our track, with head erect, nostrils distended, and seeming hardlj'- to touch the ground as he sped along. Long before noon, the heat and lurid glare reflected from the sand became in- tolerable. At mid-day we came to a hollow where rain- water was expected to be found ; but we were disappointed. The oxen lowed, the goats bleated, and the horses became piteously tame, following us as if imploring that we would quench their thirst. After two hours' rest, and having prepared a little coffee, with water we had taken in a barrel, we set forward. A second night was spent 'in wearisome journeying through sand. At intervals, the drivers of the loose cattle called out that a goat had fainted, and we stopped to take it on one of the wagons : B 2 •4! POUNDING OP THE BECHTTANA MISSION. then, that such an ox would not travel any more! As light came the second morning, we gazed round upon the horizon, but nothing appeared except the same dismal waste. A low eminence is before us ; our eyes are fixed upon it, hoping that when it is reached, some relief will be presented by a different view. We ascend : our prospect is indeed extended, but it has the same sickening aspect ; sand, sand, and nothing besides ! When the third night came, we made slow progress, as our draught oxen were nearly exhausted. The coolness of the night refreshed them, and they began to draw heartily as if in hope ; and indeed in the morning we found our- selves among low bushes and grass. The late rain had fallen here, and a fountain of water gushed from the mountain-side ! O, it was delicious ! It was as life from the dead. The cattle drank freely, and then browsed on the tufted grass which had sprung up since the rain. The ]3ain in my right side now became very acute, so that I could not lie upon it, nor find rest. The Boor who had joined our party, complained at the same time of dis- tressing head-ache, and said that bleeding had relieved him on former occasions, and he had no doubt would again now. As I thought the same treatment would also be of service to me, we agreed to operate on each other. My medicine-chest supplied the lancets. We uncovered om* arms, and I proceeded to bleed the farmer, who then per- formed the same kind office for me, and both were much relieved. I have little doubt, that if this bleeding could have been followed by suitable medicine, diet, and rest, I should have escaped the sufferings I had subsequently to- endure. We rested nearly a week at this oasis to refresh ourselves and the cattle. We found that the rain-cloud had proceeded in a line stretching east and west, and had fallen upon a strip of land from two to three miles broad^ which appeared as a beautiful green belt on the earth. How many miles it reached in length, from the shore of the Atlantic eastward, we had no means of ascertaining. We CHAPTER I. 5 saw several flocks of divers species of tlie antelope feasting upon tlie herbage and grass. On either side of this belt the ground was dry and barren. As our route was from south to north, on setting forth again we soon left this, verdure, and again entered upon the desert, across which we travelled, fifteen or sixteen hours, to a place call Kabbas, where there is a remarkable range of perpendicular rocks, looking as if reft asunder, and left standing a few yards apart from each other. Proceeding about half a mile amongst these rocks, and digging a hole in the sand be- tween them, I thrust down an iron ramrod, which was moist when drawn up again ; a sign that there was water beneath. So we dug deeper in the sand until the water collected. The earnestness with which we dug, the manner in which the water sprang, and the gratification we enjoyed at our success, forcibly reminded me of the Israelites in the wilderness : " Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well ; sing ye unto it : the princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the dii-ection of the law-;- giver, with their staves." (Num. xxi. 17.) After drinking, and filling our vessels to bear to the wagons, we sloped the descent to the water, and drove our oxen down, two at a time, having now and then to open the place again with our spades, as their feet had trodden in the sand. Thus we proceeded until all of them had drunk. We sent on the loose cattle immediately, and then yoked -those which drank the last, and followed them. The poor animals seemed to understand the necessity of the case, and were very docile and tractable. "We had to make another great effort before arriving at the river, towards which our course was directed. Again we had to dig for water; but too deep for the oxen to -descend ; so we brought it to them in pails, and sent them on as they drank. We travelled the whole night ; and as the next morning dawned, we could see in the distance tefore us a dark coloured band, which, my driver said, was 6 FOUNDING or THE BECHUANA MISSION. formed by the trees growing at the Great River. We were a long time gradually descending towards it, over hard bare ground on which the few remains of bushes were black, as if they had been burnt with fire. The people at the river said there had been no rain there during the past three years ! Their cattle subsisted on the herbage growing on the brink of the river. It was rather amusing to witness how oxen, goats, dogs, and men rushed to the stream as soon as liberated, and seemed as if they would draw up the river, so eagerly they di*ank of it. For myself, I both drank and threw off my garments and plunged into it. The heat out of the watei- was intense, so that even flies, which we afterwards found so troublesome in the Bechuana land, did not exist here ! The tube of my thermometer having been broken on the way, I was not able to learn the degree of temperature ; but the ground become so hot at mid-day that our dogs howled to set their feet on it, and I lost six oxen with sore feet. Our route noAV was to the east, up the banks of the Orange River, keeping as near to it as the ground would admit, and often catching sight of the hippopotami, which are numerous hereabouts. We crossed to the north side at Bishop's Ford, and then entered the region of the notorious Africaaner, once a cruel marauder, but after- wards a humble Christian, of whom an account has been published by the Rev. R. Moffat. We soon had cause to be thankful that we had crossed the river ; for one day, when there had been no previous signs of any change, the river suddenly increased to a great flood, bearing along on its turbid waters branches, trees, and much debris tow^ards the sea. We arrived at the home of our guides and helpers, where, after a short rest, we left all except Paul Englcbrecht, who had engaged to di'ivc my wagon to Griqua, On leaving the river we again entered a dry and thirsty land, and had a long and arduous journey to AVhite Water Fountain, and then to Griqua Town. CHAPTEH II. Griqua — Illness — Death of Child and Funeral — Journey to Reed's Ford — Stony Ground — "VVinterfeld and Sneewberg — Rev. A. Faure — Stay at Graaff Reinett, and Illness — Rev. A. Faure's Hospitality and Kindness— Visit of Rev. ^Villiara Shaw— Of Rev. ^Y. Threlfall— Lepers — Removal of Mr. Faure to Cape Town- — Arrival of Rev. T. L. Hodgson. At Griqua Town we were kindly welcomed by tlie Rev. Mr. Holm and Hs wife, of the London Missionary Society ; also by Mr. Melville, Colonial Government Resident. Here also we met tbe Rev. S. Kay and wife, whom I had been sent to join in an endeavour to commence a Mission among the Bechuanas. I soon found that his views of the state of the country were by no means in favour of the attempt. Mrs. Kay, too, was then unfit to travel, l^ot long after our arrival, my dear wife was delivered of a son, who died in about twenty-four hours after his birth. I was taken very ill, and endured great suffering. It was with difficulty that I could leave my wife on her couch when our baby's remains were carried to the grave. How- ever, with the assistance of one of the brethren, and a stick in my hand, I accompanied them to the place of interment, where the Rev. H. Holm performed the funeral service. I tarried to witness the filling up the grave, during which I observed several small slabs or boards, marking the place where the mortal remains of individuals formerly at the station had been buried. After nearly two months' delay, my illness increasing, and my strength gone, I was advised to accompany Mr. and Mrs. Kay in the journey they were about to take into the Albany District, and seek medical help at the nearest station where it could be obtained. We therefore left Griqua Town in their company, crossed the Orange River at Reed's Ford, and soon entered into the colonial boundaries. 8 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJAKA MISSION. I felt it a disappointment, and trial to my faith, to be necessitated to take this retrograde movement, even before visiting the country and people to whom I had been sent. However, my temporary sojourn in Griqua Town was not in vain in reference to the Bechuana Mission ; for I ob- tained there information respecting the tribes of that people, which led to the course subsequently taken by another colleague, who joined me v/hen partially recovered, with whom I returned as a pioneer, at least, to the people on whom my heart had been set. Our journey from the Great River was over a rocky country, on which our wagon jolted so much as to occasion me excruciating pain, and had frequently to be stopped to allow a little respite ; indeed, my companions thought my life was ebbing out, and they would have to dig a grave for me in the desert. Our route was through Winterfeld and Sneewberg, where we had stormy and very cold weather. After twenty- six days of painful travelling, we arrived at Graaff Reinett. The Rev. A. Faure, Dutch clergyman of the R-eformed Church, having been informed of the approach of our wagons, and of my affliction, rode out to meet us. He turned his horse to my wagon, and, after a few introduc- tory remarks, said, *' However mysterious the providence of God may appear, in removing Missionaries from spheres of usefulness, yet the Divine government is doubtless con- ducted on principles of infinite v/isdom ; and though we may prefer to serve God rather than to suffer, yet, perhaps, the Divine Being is as much glorified by the jjassive as by the active graces." These sentiments, though not new, were, in the circumstances in which I then heard them, as a cordial to my spirits. As we drew near the town, this Christian pastor, and, to me, angel of mercy, directed the driver of the oxen to the yard of the manse, then rode forward, and, with his excel- lent lady, was ready to receive and welcome us to their hospitable mansion on our arrival at the gate. In a few CHAPTER II. 9 ■days Mr. and Mrs. Kay proceeded to Graham's Town, and eventually entered into tlie Kafl&r Mission. An English surgeon, resident in Graaff E-einett, saw me the morning after my arrival, and continued his pro- fessional attendance during my stay. He wondered how I had survived the severity of my disease, and attributed it, under God, to my good constitution, but could not conceal his apprehension of a fatal issue. One evening the crisis seemed to have come, and those about me thought that I could not survive another night, and some of the servants sat up, expecting that they would have to prepare my body for burial. My dear wife knelt at the bed side, watering it with her tears; but commending me to the grace of God, and imploring His protection and blessing in her widowed state, in a strange land. Then, I believe, He gave me back to her. What my attendants thought to be death, was a doze, in which I seemed to see bright spirits gliding to and fro, among whom I recognised several whom I had known in England, who had " died in the Lord." At length my consciousness returned, or I awoke from sleep, in a sweet calm and peace of mind. The report got out that I was dead; but I remember I fell into a train of reasoning to the effect that if the Lord pleased I would gladly join those happy spirits in Paradise ; but if it were His will to spare me, as I was not yet thirty years of age, and permit me to labour in His work, and especially in the Mission field, I might spend forty years in that work before I should arrive at threescore years and ten. Such thoughts occupied my mind. I desired to live to preach the Gospel to the heathen, and, thank God, He permitted me to return to the native tribes in the Bechuana country! The Missionary Notices for February, 1823, contain a letter from me to the Committee, dated August 20th, 1822, giving an account of partial recovery, and of the Rev. A. Paure's kindness to me, which they recorded in the fol- lowing minute, a copy of which was sent by the Secretary to the E/ev. W. Shaw, Chaii-man of the District. " Read 10 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. a letter from Mr. Broadbent, giving an account of his late sickness. He mentions particularly the kindness of the Rev. A. Faure, Dutch Minister of Graaff Reinett, at whose house he was entertained with his family, and nursed gratuitously four months. " Resolved. That a letter of thanks be written to the Rev. A. Faure, for this very generous act of Christian kindness, and that Mr. William Shaw be requested to pre- sent him with twenty guineas from the Committee,, or, if he should think that it would be more agreeable to Mr. Faure's feelings to receive presents to that amount, Mr. Shaw be authorized to j)resent such articles as he may think most acceptable to a family living in South Africa.'* This acknowledgment of the Committee was duly appreciated by myself and family. Mr. Shaw came over from Graham's Town to see us, and make his respects to my generous host. It is due to that excellent Minister to record also, that, in the spirit of his previous disinterested- ness, he returned the twenty guineas in a donation to the Society. Here, also, I was visited by another Christian brother, who had come from Albany on purpose to show his sympathy, and offer any assistance in his power. This was the late Rev. William Threlfall, the particulars of whose visit are published in his Memoirs, — " The Missionary Martyr of Namacqualand." While we were in GraaiF Reinett, a company of poor lepers, of both sexes, arrived, who had been collected by orders of the Government, from different ports, and were on their way to an institution prepared for them, medical attendance being provided, and a Missionary appointed to attend them. As they sat or lay round a fire kindled beneath some trees near the Sunday River, they exhibited all the horrible signs and ravages of their fearful disease, and made a gi'oup more utterly pitiable and wretched than any I had ever seen. It was humane and Christian to make provision for them. CHAPTER 11. II As the Rev. A. Faure had received an appointment to Cape Town, before his departure from Graaff Reinett, I requested permission to make some remuneration for the- expenses to which he must have been put on our account ; but this in the most affectionate manner he firmly de- clined. Being quite overcome with tender and grateful emotions, I withdrew, and attempted to give some expres- sion to my sense of obligation in a letter, which I put into the hand of Mrs. Faure on their leaving, I received a reply while they were on the road, breathing the same Christian charity which characterized Mr. Faure's previous conduct. He said, " I have only done what was my duty. Indeed, the obligation is on my part ; I am grateful for the profitable conversations which I have had with my afflicted guest," &c., with many expressions of regard of which I felt quite unworthy. Having been about six months in Graaff Reinett, my eyes and heart were gladdened by the sight of my brother, the Rev. T. L. Hodgson, and his excellent wife, who had, come by way of Algoa Bay and Graham's Town, to be my associates to the Bechuana country. My convalescence, though not perfect, was such that personally I felt no hesitation as to engaging in the enter- prise. Mr. H. and myself consulted with the medical gentleman who had attended me while here. He expressed himself cautiously, said it was possible that a change of air, and the journey, if I did not exert myself too much, might conduce to perfect my recovery. However, my heart was in the work, and I counted not my life dear to me, if I might go, though but in the rough duty of a pioneer, into that country. I had obtained much information concerning the route, people, &c., and was as familiar with the Portu- guese and Dutch languages as the English. So, hoping for the best, and trusting in God, v/e prepared for tha journey. 12 CHAPTER III. Leave GraafFKeinett — Sneewberg — Bushman Land — Pliilippolis — Crad- dock River — j\l adder River, and the Vaal, or Yellow River — Campbell Dorp — Griqua Town — Links Fountain and Tiger — Loss of Sheep. We hired two half-castes as wagon drivers, and their •wives to accompany us, together with people to lead and tend onr oxen. These persons had entered into a written agreement in the presence of the Landrost, Sir. A. Stockeln- stroom, who kindly addressed them on their duties. On November 1st, 1822, we left Graaff Reinett, with three ■wagons, one occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, their little daughter and nurse ; one by myself, wife, son, and a servant girl; and the third by the wives of our two prin- cipal drivers. Our party included in all sixteen persons. The first night we rested at the foot of Sneewberg; next day we ascended the mountain, and x3roceeded to the place of M. Yan Heeran, one of the elders of the Dutch Church at Graaff Reinett, with whom, and his excellent wife and family, I became acquainted, while the guest of their Pastor, the Rev. A. Faure. Their manners, intelligence, and piety, were of a much higher standard than those exhibited by the generality of the Dutch farmers in this country. They kindly welcomed and hosj^itably enter- tained us at their house. One of the days we spent here was Sunday, on which, at their request, I preached in the Dutch language to them, and a few other neighbouring families, and their servants, forming with our people a good congregation. My heart was glad at once more entering upon the work in which I had previously enjoyed so much spiritual good; it warmed -also with the subject, founded on 1 John i. 9. So that I CHAPTER III. IS* exerted myself beyond my strength, and felt feverisli and very unwell tlie rest of the day, but was better after a night's rest. Graaif R-einett, where our friends went to public worship, being a great distance from their residence, they were obliged to leave home on Saturday, and spend the night in town, and return on the Sunday afternoon. This was the custom of the family when the weather permitted. Doubtless there were other families in the district, who would seldom incur so much trouble. On this account, they were desirous of getting a Minister among them, and of building a church. Before leaving them, I was asked, very respectfully, if I would consent to become their Predikant, Minister, and they would enter upon preli- minary steps to secure what was necessary and desirable. I thanked them for this expression of their regard, and hoped ere long they would succeed in getting a Pastor located among them, but said that my call was to the heathen, ia the regions beyond. At this season of the year the air was pleasantly cool on:, the mountain, but was perceptibly warmer as we descended,, and very warm in the plains. We purchased of Mr. Yan Heeren a few sheep and goats, and two cows, for food by the way, then proceeded on our journey, followed by many good wishes and prayers for our welfare. One morning, while in the Bushman flats, our men returning with the cattle brought also a young zebra, which must have been foaled during the night : we left it for its dam to find when we were gone. On the 15th we forded the Cradock River, a fine broad stream, which joins with the Yaal and forms the Great Orange River, after which our oxen had hard work to draw the wagons through the deep sand. Sunday, the 17th, we spent atPhilippolis, a Mission Station connected with the London Society, so-named after Dr. Philip, general Superintendent of those Missions in South Africa. A Native Teacher, named Jan Goeman, was 14 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. stationed liere. On the subject of " Native Teachers," having met with four or five of them on the Great River, and Griqua Land, in connexion with the London Society's Missions, I take the freedom to remark, that, while I Ibelieve that eventually the Gospel will be propagated by feuch in their own country ; men who, in the first instance, have been converted to the faith of Christ, by God's blessing on the evangelical ministrations of European Missionaries ; yet it is of the utmost importance, both to them, and to the great cause of Missions itself, that much care should be taken in their selection, " to lay hands suddenly on no man," that their personal piety should have attained maturity and stability ; their natural and acquired gifts be respectable, and their knowledge of sacred Scripture be such that they can both teach and defend the truth. They will need also, for a long time, and some of them always, the fraternal oversight of European Pastors. I may here remark, further, that extensive observation has confirmed my conviction that, for the most successful use of native agency, and for avoiding the scandal caused by frequent instances of Missionaries, as well as Native Teachers, forsaking their work to enter upon secular pursuits, there is needed an ecclesiastical system, which associates its ministers and churches in the closest fellow- ship, and provides for all an effective and acknowledged oversight. Before leaving Philippolis, we engaged two more men, to assist in driving the loose cattle; one of them a half-breed, who became a great annoyance to us, until we were obliged to part with him. The other was a simple-hearted and cheerful Bushman ; but his services we also lost through the misbehaviour of his fellow- servant. Our route was along by the Modder river, which has many deep pools in its bed, and abounds with wild geese and other water-fowl. Leaving this to the north, we arrived on the 2nd of December at the Yaal, which we CHAPTER III. 15 found roiling a miglity and muddy stream of water. This river, tliougli at the time deep, wide, and rapid, we were obliged to cross, as we were told that, owing to the rains in the interior, it would continue in its present state for two months, at least. "We therefore set to work, and collected trunks and branches of trees, to construct a raft, by fasten- ing them together with twisted willows. This raft was made sufficiently high to allow for the depth that it would sink in the water when loaded. We had obtained the assistance of several Griquas, kindly sent by the Rev. Mr. Sass from Campbell; and, all things being ready, myself, wife, child, and servant mounted the raft, taking with us a few light boxes containing necessary articles, and three of the wagon wheels. Ten or a dozen men shoved off the raft into deep water, pushing it before them with one hand as they swam. The stream carried .us down, and when we came to the middle of the river, vour raft began to rock, and the water to splash upon ■us far more than was either comfortable or safe. The ;swimmers shouted, and put forth their utmost strength ; so that, after many fears, by God's mercy, this dangerous ^^oyage was accomplished, and we reached the opposite bank of the river about two miles below the place whence we started. This was exhausting work for our swimmers ; and for their refreshment, some of our cattle having been made to swim . over, I shot a fat ox ; pieces of which were broiled on the coals, while Mrs. Broadbent prepared tea, of which these men are very fond. After regaling themselves, they pushed the raft up along the river bank in shallow water, and then across the current to the other side again, where Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson also had prepared food for them. This was done a few times the first day, when, night coming on, our party rested, some on the north, and the others on the south side of the river, and next morning our fatiguing and perilous work was resumed. We found what our people ■ called "a river horse " a great help in swimming. This 16 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. is a ligTit willow beam, about eight or ten feet long, witli a peg at one end, which the swimmer lays hold of, and lying on the log launches forth. It requires care to keep the peg upright, or the swimmer will be unhorsed. At the close of the second day of exhausting toil, the whole of our luggage and wagons being carried over, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson came the last, with their daughter and servants. Our cattle were made to swim, except one ox, which refused to take the water, ran away, and was lost. On December the 6th, having put our wagons together, and reloaded them, we again set forth, and the same evening were kindly welcomed to Campbell, (better known as Groots Fontein,) by the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Sass. The latter I found was a daughter of my old fellow-traveller across the deserts of Namacqualand, Paul Engelbrecht. During oiu' first night's sojourn at Campbell we were disturbed and annoyed by a bold and ferocious wolf, which seemed determined to feast on one of our flock. We had a free conversation with Mr. Sass and some of his people, on the subject of our future route, and our desire not to enter upon other men's labours, but to pro- ceed to a region where no Missionary had been, and where Christ had not been named. The result was satisfactory to my colleague, fully confirming the views I had formed, and expressed to him, that we should take an easterly course on the north side of the Yaal River. However, we resolved to visit Griqua Town, and confer with the Rev. Mr. Helm, and Mr. Melville. Leaving, therefore, our wives and families at Campbell, Mr. Hodgson and myself travelled in a light wagon, and in about ten hours reached Griqua, where I found a warm welcome from my old friends. On leaving this place for Graaff Reinett about seven months before, I left two horses in the care of the chief, Andreas Waterboer, to whom I now applied for them. He answered, that, hearing I was dead, he had disposed of them ! I said, "You have now proof that I am yet alive. CHAPTER III. 17 and I require my horses." He said, tliey were gone away, and could not now be obtained. I then demanded the price for which he had sold them ; which, after deducting his charge for the care of them, amounted to ten rix- dollars, or about fifteen shillings for two horses, which just now, with our journey before us, would have been invaluable. Neither could Mr. Melville nor Mr. Helm, though sorely grieved at the injustice, helx^ me in the matter. The brethren Helm and Melville also concurred in our views of leaving Griqualand altogether, and taking the route we indicated ; and, from what they had heard, they believed that we should find in that direction a large population of Bechuanas. Both here and at Campbell we heard a great deal about ihe wars and anarchy which existed among the different tribes further in the interior. Indeed, so general was the -disorder among them, that one person expressed an opinion, that they would not be in a state fit for us to go among them for fifty years to come. Such remarks had no efi'ect on our minds, except to strengthen our purpose that, God willing, we would set up the banner of the Prince of Peace, and call the contending tribes to repose around it. "We were not insensible to the difiiculties and perils of the ■enterprise ; but, acting imder the commission of Him who iath said, " Preach the Gospel to every creature," and encouraged by His declaration, " Lo, I am with you .alway,'- we hesitated not for a moment respecting the path of duty. Being cheered also by the cordial approval of our respected brethren at Griqua Town and Campbell, we proceeded with our preparation for the journey. We purchased a number of sheep for food, and en- •deavoured to obtain a person to accompany us who could speak Sichuana, that he might act as an interpreter when we came among any of the Bechuana people. The only person we could obtain for this purpose, was a youth about fourteen years of age, but he understood no English at all j c 18 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. and what he knew even of tlie Dutcli was so meagre, tliat he was of very little use to us, except in assisting to drive the sheep. We departed from Griqna Town in the afternoon of the day, in order to have the benefit of the evening coolness, and to rest onr sheep at night at Links Fountain. The following incident is worth recording, to show what travellers in this country are liable to. As we were slowly proceeding during the evening, the man who had charge of the sheep came, and said to me^ ** Sir, I think there is a tiger about us." I inquired, " Why do you think so.P" He replied, "From the starting of the sheep every now and then, from which I think they have seen one creeping among the bushes." With this, premonition, when we halted at a late hour, we adopted the best means our circumstances v/ould allow for the protection of our flock. While some of the party kindled a fire to prepare supper, others of us drove the sheep close to the wagon, walking round them until they laid them- selves down : we then partook of our supper, had our usual evening devotions, and not having been disturbed yet, con- cluded that our shepherd must have been mistaken, or that the tiger had not followed us to this place ; we therefore laid ourselves down to rest on difi*erent sides of the flock. No sooner, however, were we all still, than suddenly up started the sheep and scampered away. I seized my gun, and, in the opposite direction to that which the sheep had taken, I caught a glance of two glaring eyes, almost like a pair of lamps, on which the blaze of our fire shone. I fired ; but missed. Our men started after the sheep, and presently returned with most of them, which were driven to the wagon as before ; and, as we remained for a con- siderable time undisturbed, we indulged the hope that our enemy would be satisfied with what he had got. So, being wearied with our journey, we lay down again. But again the foe showed himself, and allowed us no rest till morning. When it became fully light, we found eleven of our flock CHAPTER III. 19 wliicTi tlae tiger had killed by a bite on tbe neck of each, but had not torn them elsewhere. The experience we afterwards had with lions gave ns a more favourable opinion of the qualities of the monarch of the desert than of the treacherous and cruel tiger. The latter will kill, as Boors affirm, till his jaws are tired ; but the lion feasts on his prey, and lets the remainder escape. c 2 20 CHAPTER lY. Departure from Campbell— Cross the Tracks of Eev. J. Campbell and Burchell the Botanist — Difficulties with our People — Part with two of them — Reports of Wars and Perils — Arrive at the Korana Place under Chiideep— His Request and Conduct — Keide- bookei — Flight of the Koranas. Ha viNG no specific directions, either respecting the route we should take, or in what locality we should commence our Missionary operations, but only in general terms that we must go to the Bechuana Country, we determined, from information previously referred to, and in accordance with the counsels of the E-ev. Messrs. Helm and Sass, and as our way seemed open, to go to the eastward of Campbell, into a region where no Missionary had preceded us, nor any European or Colonist. Before entering upon this unknown land, we took from our wagons a few heavy boxes, in order to lighten them, and left the goods in the care of Mr. Sass, to be sent for if we should succeed in forming a station. We went forth, having the river on our right, and keeping as near to it as practicable, that we might be sure of water. We arrived at the Hart river, or Malalareen, a periodical stream, on crossing which, we left the track of Mr. Campbell, on his return from Kurichane, also that of Mr. Burcbell, the botanist, after which it was a terra in- cognita, except to a few marauding Griquas, and nomad Koranas, some of whom we now and then met, who reported nothing but evil tidings. They spoke of hordes of savages depopulating the country, and predicted inevit- able destruction to our company if we had the temerity to proceed in that direction. We supposed their reports might be exaggerated, and that CHAPTEE, IV, 21 the peril was not so gi-eat as they represented it to be ; but though we were not insensible to danger, yet we were unmoved in our purpose by their representations. We were messengers of the church, were going in the name of Christ, who had promised His presence with us, and, by His grace, were resolved to set up our banner in that land of darkness and war. However, the persons whom we had hired to accompany us were not influenced by the same considerations ; and, believing, or pretending to believe, the rumours about savages, wars, and desolations, which they had heard, evinced a spirit of cowardice and disaiFection, which was the cause of much annoyance, as well as loss of time. The principal in this aifair was the man we had hired at Philippolis since we left the Colony, who exerted a mis- chievous influence on others. When, within the colonial territory, any subject of altercation arises, the matter can be referred to a colonial functionary, and disaffected and turbulent spirits be kept under some restraint ; but when remote from such authority, they can laugh at previous engagements and contracts. We had taken every possible precaution of the kind with those we had engaged at Graaff Reinett, and they knew that they would be amenable to the civil magistrate if they did not fulfil their engagement ; but the man just referred to cared no more for colonial authorities than he did for us. On being reproved for disobedience, he manifested a violent and ungovernable temper, and had obtained so much influence over the others, that he withdrew them from us, with the exception of two boys of the Bushman class ; and during one night we were left with no other protection or assistance to attend our sheep and cattle. The next morning the runaways returned, say- ing, they would conduct us till we should arrive at a Korana village, and then would positively return ; and we were as positive in our determination to persevere, by the help of God. With much reasoning and expostulation we suc- ceeded at length in recovering our people to a sense of 22 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. tlaeir duty ; but ttie ringleader in the business, and a Bush- man who had accompanied him, we parted with, and then went on our way rejoicing. The further we proceeded to the east, the more the country improved in general appearance, especially in wood, water, and luxuriant grass, so that our oxen soon got into much better condition. "We also were able occasionally to get some wild fowl, and we hoped, by economizing our sheep, to have ample provision until we arrived among the native tribes. Having travelled nearly a fortnight in a kind of neutral territory, between Griqualand and the Bechuana Country, on the 9th of January, 1823, we saw, in the forenoon of the day, smoke rise into the air at some distance before us. This we knew was a sign of population of some sort. Soon after, we discerned a number of native huts ; so we halted to let our cattle graze, and to get our own dinner, not knowing v/hat kind of reception we might have. Having rested a couple of hours, we again yoked our oxen, and set forward. As we drew near the houses, we observed their number far exceeded what we had first seen ; but not a human being appeared. We drove up a gentle ascent to the site of the village, and, drawing the wagons near together, unyoked the oxen, and directed their keepers not to go far away. Some gathered wood, and kindled a fire ; one took a vessel to an adjacent fountain, and brought water ; and our female servants set on the kettle. In the mean time, Mr. Hodgson and myself walked about unarmed, showing no apprehen- sion or suspicion of danger. The first of the natives who made their appearance were naked boys and girls, who, after approaching the wagons, ran off again, as sprightly as the wild ass ; next some women came from their huts, and sat down in rows a short distance from us, but in silence ; then a few men ventured out of their hiding-places, and sat down behind the women. By this time our v^dves had got the tea ready, of which we CHAPTER IV. 23 partook in our usual way, — drinking out of a small basin, some sitting, and others standing. A venerable-looking old man was now seen approaching, wearing a mantle of jackal skins, hanging from his shoulder nearly to his feet, and holding in his hand the brush of one of those animals tied to a polished rod, which he used to wipe the perspira- tion from his forehead, and keep off the flies. A few other men attended him, on his right and left hand. Taking him to be the Chief of the place, Mr. Hodgson and I went and met him near the wagons. He looked on us as we did on him ; but as he did not speak any language with which we were acquainted, nor did any of our party understand his tongue, we were unable to communicate with him ; but, turning to our wagon chest, we took out some bunch es of beads, a knife, and a few other articles we had brought for such purposes, and offered them to him. He alternately cast his eyes on the presents, and on us, and shortly after receiving them withdrew. In about half an hour we saw him returning, with some of his people draggiu g a sheep by the horns, and others bearing wooden vessels containing milk, to present to us, which we cheer- fully accepted. Now the aged Chief and his people cast off all appearance of reserve and fear, walked about the wagons, gazing with amazement, first at one thing and then another, until, evening drawing on, he and his people retired ; and we also, after getting our cattle folded, laid us down to rest. We did not fully understand, at the time, the meaning and importance attached by this people to the transaction of giving and receiving presents. In their view, it is the tender and acceptance of peace and friendship between the parties ; and, in this instance, led to our being regarded and treated as mutual friends. The ensuing morning he supplied us with abundance of new milk, enough to satisfy all our party ; and his people thronged about us with freedom and confidence. In the course of the day he brought with him a man 24 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. who tad been among the Griquas, and spoke Dutch, who became an interpreter between ns. This man informed us that the Chief's name was Chudeep, and that he was glad to see us ; and we informed him in what character, and with what object, we had come. He replied, " I hope you are come to teach me and my people ;. we often think about the great word; but do not know what it is." We are very glad to hear you say so," I replied ; " but we are sent by our fathers to the Bechuanas, to whom we- are going." " Would not your fathers," said he, " be pleased if yon- stopped here with me and my people ? " I answered, "We cannot speak on that point without asking them, and they are a great distance from here," This subject was resumed at different times during our stay. He did not fail to inform us of the distracted state of the Bechuana tribes, and the great peril we should be- in if we went amono; them. Having sufficiently rested ourselves and our eattle, we made preparation to resume our journey, which Chudeep evidently did not expect, or he would not have been absent at the time. However, information of our proceedings had been sent to him, and he speedily returned. When he arrived, he was almost breathless with running. As our wagons had to move over ground on which no wheel had ever revolved, which was in some parts soft, in others rocky, and generally covered with bushes or old stumps, there were yoked six pair of oxen to a wagon, which required a person to act as leader to the first pair, holding a long strap in his hand, which was fastened to their heads. This man had taken his position, to be ready for the command of the driver, when the Chief came, who instantly seized the strap, and stood himself before the oxen, if possible, to prevent their going. The driver uttered his usual word " Trek,'' and cracked his long whip, and the team moved forward, when Chudeep was obliged to move also, to avoid CHAPTER IV. 25- being trampled on by tlie oxen ; but used bis utmost effort to stop them, or turn them round. Afraid of his being hurt, I beckoned to the driver to stop them, and went to the Chief with a present in my band, to signify that, though leaving him, we were still bis friends ; but be' put my band aside, refusing to accept what was offered. Mr. Hodgson then came from bis wagon, we doubled cur- present, and jointly repeated the offer. He still refused it, and kept hold of the leader's strap. We looked round, and inquired for the interpreter, who* for a while was not forthcoming ; when found at lengtb,. the following dialogue occurred : — "Tell Chudeep, that be must please allow us to proceed- on our journey ; that we are leaving him in a friendly way, and as soon as possible will see him again, and also will do our best to get him a Teacher." " I never saw such men before," was bis ansv/er. " We often think about the great word, but don't know what it is." " We will send to our fathers, and request them to send a Teacher." "I do not know," said the Chief, "whether your fathers will send one or not ; and, if one comes, whether he xAR be my fi*iend. You are here, my eyes see you, and we are friends." " We must obey their instructions, and until they send you a teacher, when we have found a place where to reside, we will come ourselves to see you." " Other Chiefs," he urged, " who are my friends, will come with their people to be instructed, if you will remain with us. If you do not like this place, we will remove to a> better; we will give you ground on which to build your bouses, and cows to supply milk for yourselves and fami-. lies." Then, after a pause, be added, with great impres-. siveness and feeling, "If, after all, you do leave me, I ivill lay me down, and sigh my life out !" How can such feeling, and the conduct and language it ':26 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. prompted, be accounted for in a pagan Chief, born in the teart of Soutliern Africa, where his whole life had been spent ? He had never seen Christian men before, had never seen a book, and had no knowledge of letters. Our con- viction was then, and is now, that it was an evidence that the True Light that enlightens every man who comes into the world, had shone into his heart. Perhaps some persons may think that, with such a call, and made in so urgent a manner, we should have been justified in departing from our instructions, and have remained with this Korana Chief and his people. To which I would answer, that as our destination was to the Bechuanas, we saw it was our duty to proceed until we reached them. If by continuing awhile with Chudeep we could have done anything towards the attainment of a knowledge of the Sichuana language, spoken by the Bech- uanas, and thereby furthered the object of our mission to them, we might have been induced to comply with his entreaty ; but there was no prospect of this ; for the verna- cular of the Koranas is a dialect spoken along the Orange River to Namacqualand. Moreover, we had no doubt that we might succeed — as we really did afterwards— in getting some of our converted Namacquas to come and instruct him. We parted good friends at last; he, on his part, receiving our present ; and we promising to visit him when in circumstances to do so. Our wagons proceeded on their way, leaving our cattle-keepers to follow. When, however, we halted at another Korana Kraal, our cattle-people came and re^Dorted that Chudeep and his people would not allow the cattle to follow us ; but had driven them in the opposite direction. This conduct surprised and annoyed us at the time ; but we saw afterwards the hand of Providence therein. There was no design to deprive ns of them, but to detain us with them. The Chief Keidebookei, at whose place we halted, received our present, and supplied us with milk ; and did not fail to represent to iis the peril of our proceeding eastward, on CHAPTER IV. 27 account of tlie numbers, ferocity, and ravages of tlie Man- tatees; in fact, that nothing but war and destruction were going on among the Bechuanas. We had heard such statements before, and did not pay much heed to them. Next morning we sent persons to Chudeep for our cattle, but they returned without them, saying he refused to give them up. Now another source of difficulty and unplea- santness arose by two of our men absconding, either from fear, or by persuasion, one of whom was the youth we had brought to be our interpreter with the Bechuanas, whose territories we were approaching, and whose services there- fore might soon be necessary. We did not expect that he would be able to do more than answer questions which might arise respecting our object in coming into the country. My esteemed colleague, who enjoyed excellent health, and had much more strength than I had, went after our men and cattle. In vain he expostulated, entreated, and offered rewards. After about a week's hindrance by this vexatious aifair, one evening, while awaiting Mr. Hodgson's return, the Chief Keidebookei being at our wagons, our attention was called to the east, in the direction we wished to have been travelling, by men riding on oxen, who, as soon as they perceived the Korana huts and our wagons, shouted aloud, giving warning of danger. What they said we knew not, but the Chief and his people instantly left us, and the whole village was thrown into confusion, the men , driving away their cattle and flocks, whilst a few, with the women, began to take down their huts, constructed of rods and mats ; we, all the time, being in perplexity as to the cause of this sudden alarm. In a little while the village disappeared, and the people fled. I had no fear, but was concerned at the absence of Mr, Hodgson and most of our party. However, to oiir relief, he returned, and the cattl<3 also ; for Chudeep and his people, hastening to do the best they could to get away, delivered up our cattle which they had detained ; but our two boys were not with them. 28 FOUNDING OF THE BECHITANA MISSION. While in a state of suspense as to what was the cause, or what might be the consequence, of the flight of the Koranas, we saw clouds of dust ascend into the air, then heard the lowing of hundreds of cattle, bleating of flocks of sheep and goats, driven by a mixed multitude of men, women, and children, accompanied by a host of armed warriors. These were a part of the tribe of Bechuanas, the Baro- longs, to whom we were journeying. 29 CHAPTER y. The Meeting with Bechuanas — Sabbedere — Want of Interpreter — Subsequent Interviews — Retrograde Movement — Hysenas — Hip- popotami — SichuanaWords — Lion — Cross the No — Accident to Mr. Hodgson's Wagon — Seen by the Mantatees — Alarm of our People — An old Mautatee — A Youth dying from a Wound in his Neck — Lions — Night Travelling — Arrive at a deserted Town by the River — The Sabbath — Walk among the Ruins —Discover a little Girl — New Axletree — New Guides — Lions again — Slaughter a Beast — Difficulties with our People — Cattle stolen. It was remarkable that the people of wliom we were in search should, by the calamities of war, have been driven in such a direction that they actually met us ; and in such Jiumbers as I had never seen natives together in Africa before. Of course there was a great noise and confusion ; each party which arrived attending to their special charge. We had heard before the name of Sabbedere, brother to Siffonello, the Chief of the Barolongs ; and now learnt that he was the commander of this party. We were not a little •embarrassed for want of an interpreter ; and, consequently, grieved at the absence of the youth we had brought with ius for that office. However, we occasionally, in an in- quiring tone and manner, called the name of Sabbedere ! On which the parties we addressed pointed towards the rear of the main body, where the Chief was with his war- riors ; no doubt, to protect, as far as they could, their peo- ple and cattle from the enemy, supposed to be in pursuit of them. At length, about the evening twilight, there appeared a particular movement among the people ; when an armed .force of remarkably fine-looking men stepped forward, and, opening to the right and left, respectfully inclined forward 30 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. towards one in tlie centre between them, and several voices exclaimed, " Sabbedere ! Sabbedere ! " There stood before ■us a tall, muscular man, armed with shield, battle-axe, and a quiver of spears, attended by a body-guard similarly accoutred. Mr. Hodgson and I stood before him, unarmed, and gazed with astonishment at him and his people ; but had no means of communicating with him or them. O, what would I have given for ability to address him in his own tongue ! But, having acquired some knowledge of the light in which presents are regarded by African Chiefs, and observing his person and noble bearing, we turned to our wagons, and brought a present far surpassing any that we had given to the Korana Chiefs previously. He looked at the articles one after another, then at us, next on the wagons, in which our wives and families had continued hitherto; then, handing the articles to one of his attend- ants, he and his party left us ; but in a short time returned, driving before them four large fat oxen, a beautiful heifer, and two sheep. These were a present to us, which we gladly accepted ; and our men took charge of them. It soon became manifest that he likewise regarded this in- terchange of presents as a mutual offer and ratification of friendship ; and, after resting a little while on the ground, he arose, and in the absence of language, by strikingly significant actions, gave us to understand how they had been attacked, had fought, and men had been slain. During this time one or two alarms were given from the rear, which quickly took the attention of Sabbedere and his attendants ; but, happily, nothing important took place, and the whole of this party, with their cattle, re- mained in our vicinity that night. Mr. Hodgson and I conversed on the most likely means to succeed in recovering our Bechuana youth ; for we had reason to believe that he was concealed among the Koranas. So next morning a Korana was induced, by the offer of a large gratuity, to bring him, and did so. On the interpreter's arrival we had a more formal inter- CHAPTER V. 31: view witli Sabbedere and tlie subordinate Cbiefs, to wliom= we communicated our object in coming into the country, and our desire to get to bis brother Siffonello ; when be in- formed us that, having been attacked by the vast horde of Mantatees, they had divided their forces, and his brother, with his son, Moroko, and the party with them, had taken another route ; and that he and the party present were now attempting to join them. He could not properly under- stand our object, but was pleased to have our alliance, and was sure his brother Siffonello would welcome us to his country. So far we were encouraged to prosecute our enterprise ; and were gratified by the specimens we had seen of the Barolongs; though sorry that, owing to the invasion of their country, they were in such an unsettled condition, Mr. Hodgson and myself conferred together on what would be the most prudent course for us to pursue in exist- ing circumstances. We might join this party, and ac- company them ; the principal recommendation to do so was, that we might have the opportunity of learning their language. But, on the other hand, there was the possi- bility and danger of being involved in their wars, should the enemy overtake them. On prayerful deliberation, we concluded to retreat some distance, to a part of the country that was well wooded, and there remain, surrounded by the trees and bushes, as retired and quiet as possible ; so that the Mantatees, following on the track of the Baro- longs, would, we hoped, pass without observing us ; after which we would proceed on our journey into the territory of the Barolongs. We engaged one young man from their party to remain with us as a guide and cattle- watcher, and took up a poor boy, reduced to a skeleton from want, and •unable to travel any more. We had to lay him in one of the wagons, until we halted, and then to lift him out ; but, when set on his feet, a light breeze would over-balance him, . and he fell to the ground. By nourishment he gradually recovered, and became of service to us. His name was- Eratsagai, of whom more will be said hereafter. .:32 POUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. The evening after Sabbedere and bis people left ne, certain beasts of prey, following on tbeir rear, fell upon onr £ock of sbeep, sixteen in number, including tbe two 'Sabbedere bad presented to us, which we were sparing as much as possible as our future supply of food, and devoured fourteen of them. This obliged us to slaughter the re- maining two, lest we should be deprived of them also, by the same ferocious enemies. So ended our mutton for a long time ; until a fresh supply of sheep was brought from Griqualand, after our settlement in the Bechuana Country. January 15th, 1823. — Retracing our steps, we passed the site of a Korana village which had been abandoned by the "terrified inhabitants, on the approach of the Barolongs, expecting the dreaded Mantatees were in close pursuit. This retrograde movement was necessary also in order to allay the apprehensions of our own people. We found a secluded spot, not far distant from the Yaal river, sur- nrounded by trees and bushes that quite concealed our wagons from the view of persons at a distance from us. Though not molested by men during this retreat, we were annoyed by hysenas, which in the evenings prowled aboiit our encampment. One evening I tried to allure one within musket range, by lying down in the grass, being .prepared to fire, should he come sufficiently near ; but he walked round and round, smelling about at a respectful distance, and then slunk away. Another day, while I sat in the shade of some willow trees, a monstrous hippopota- mus lifted his head above the water in the river. After -gazing at me a short time he disappeared in deep water. While at tins place, I embraced the opportunity which the presence of the Bechuana boys left by Sabbedere gave me, to make the attempt to acquire a knowledge of some words and sentences of their language, carefully noting down every ascertained term. This was necessary, to pre- vent our forgetting them ; for there were no books in the Janguage. I had not much difficulty in getting nouns substantive, CHAPTER V. 83 as they would readily tell me the name of any object at which I pointed; but it was not so easy to get verbs, or other parts of speech. The following incidents may show how they were sometimes acquired. We were thrown into some anxiety by our cattle being missing, not knowing whether they had strayed, or been driven away. Mr. Hodg- son and some of our men were absent in search of them. I had learnt the word for cattle in Sichuana, " homo." So I made signs with my hand to the elder of the boys to go in a different direction to that Mr. Hodgson and those with him had taken, in search of the homo. We had already seen them at a distance coming toward us ; but just then they were concealed from our view by an intervening hollow ; so, looking at me pleasantly, he said, " Komo gro- gha." I repeated the words, in an inquiring tone, when he replied, " JElie homo grogha," and pointed in the direction he had seen them ; and they soon after made their appear- ance. It means, " The cattle are coming." I nev^er forgot the word. Another time one of them was at a short dis- tance, when the other called to him, making a sign with his hand. He said, " Euhlo quaan," and the one at a dis- tance came to him. I found it meant, " Come here." In this manner we added words to the vocabulary from time to time. Having remained in our seclusion a full week, and sup- posing that by this time the pursuing enemy would have passed, we prepared to resume our journey into the in- terior, in order to be fully among the Barolongs. It is true, that, by taking the route proposed, we were cutting off our retreat to the colony ; but we resolved, God per- mitting, that, as a forlorn hope, in the name of our God, we would set up our banner, though we should perish in the attempt. When the oxen were yoked, and all ready for starting, a .storm of thunder and rain detained us a little while ; the eame seemed also to have disturbed a lion in his lair, for he came out and roared, and then marched away D 34 FOTTNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. from our wagons, to our great astonishment and greater relief. As we proceeded, we were gratified to find abundance of grass, and pools of water, with many water-fowl. Halting at one pool, we discerned the fresh ti'^ek of lions, five or six in number. A large hysena showed his head above the long grass, so broad that I mistook it for a lion until it moved, and then his limp, as if one of the hind legs was shorter than the other, showed the family to which he belonged. The report of a musket, heard by it for the first time, quickened the pace at Avhich it fled. On January 23rd we arrived at a brook, called the No, which flows into the Yaal. Having found a suitable place for crossing it, we went over ; but in doing so one of the axle-trees of Mr. Hodgson's wagon got sprained, and had to be bound together with splinters and thongs, until we could get timber to replace it with a new one. During the night we heard, or thought we heard, human voices at no great distance from us. We found it was necessary to turn toward the Yaal to cut down a tree to repair the wagon ; and the afternoon of this day brought to ovir knowledge the fact, that the sounds heard during the previous night were not imaginary, and that only a low ridge separated us from the encampment of the Mantatees, who had not pursued the Barolongs, as we had supposed. Thus the accident to Mr. Hodgson's wagon had been the providential means of keeping us from going direct among them. On the 24th we were proceeding at a slow pace, partly occasioned by the injured wagon, and partly by the softness of the wet ground, while all our party, male and female, were in the wagons sheltered from the rain, except a few who drove the loose cattle, or led the teams that were yoked. The loose cattle were first, Mr. Hodgson's wagon next, then mine, followed by the luggage wagon. Pre- sently we discovered a company of armed men following us on the left ; as they drew near, we observed black ostrich fea- CHAPTER V. 35 thers on their heads, and that then* large shields were oval in form, whereas the Barolongs are square, hollowed on the two sides. In short, their general appearance left no doubt on our minds but they belonged to the horde of Mantatees. We thought it prudent to move on as we were, and all the parties continued in the wagons. My wagon driver would have fired a musket at them ; but I peremptorily forbad him, knowing that we had no protection but that of Almighty God. About fourteen or fifteen had come so near to us, that they presented their shields, and the fore- most of them — tall, fierce-looking men — raised their right arm to hurl their long javelin ; when, looking out of the back part of the wagon, I beckoned with my hand, and used the words recently learnt, Euklo quaan ! " Come here ! " — whereupon they lowered their weapons, took a few steps backward, then suddenly turned round, and ran off at their utmost speed. Those who were behind them, as if moved by one impulse, also turned and fled. What occasioned their precipitate flight we did not know, though glad to see their backs turned on us. It must have been a terror from God which came upon them for our preserva- tion. Our wagons moved on, until we arrived at an emi- nence, where we halted, and whence we could see the dark body of warriors, as if in consultation. As it was near evening, we should have rested here for the night, if these destroyers of people and of towns had not been so near. We allowed our oxen to graze, keeping them near to us, as there was abundance of grass. Our people kindled a fire, and made coffee, but were greatly alarmed. Some declared that some of the enemy were in ambush around us, &c., &c. Mr. Hodgson and myself walked about, not suffering a muscle of our faces to indicate any fear ; our wives also were calm, and attended to the preparation of our food. A tall old man appeared, more like a moving skeleton than a living being ; and on a piece of raw meat being given to him, he greedily devoured it like a dog, though there was a fire before him, where he might have D 2 36 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. cooked it. His appearance did not allay, bnt greatly in- creased, the fears of our people, who repeatedly affirmed that they heard human voices from a thicket near to us. Mr. Hodgson and I went unarmed to it, walked round, entered into it, and satisfied ourselves that there was no enemy lurking there ; but, on leaving the place, our atten- tion was arrested by a cry of distress, and, turning aside a few paces, we discovered a fine-looking young man laid on the ground quite naked, with a deep wound in his neck, made, evidently, by a spear. He gazed on us, and tried to raise himself, but could not. We went to the wagon, and told our people that there was no ambush in the thicket, and that the voice they had heard proceeded from the wounded man. We could obtain no information from the old man, as our youth could not understand him. We then took some food to the poor fellow we had left lying in the grass ; and the weather being cool, and rain falling, we kindled a fire for him on the lee-side of a bush, to which we moved him for shelter and warmth. He rolled his eyes and made sounds, which none of our party could interpret. The care he had taken of his armour excited our surprise. He had placed his spears and battle-axe on the dry ground, then his shield upon them, then his kaross or mantle, folded so as to cover the whole, and protected this with his naked body, which was wet with the falling rain. As his weapons were his means both of defence and to obtain subsistence, he had adopted the plan I have described to protect them, that they migbt be available if he recovered. We placed them near him by the fire, and left him in the evening twilight, expecting that he would only moan a few hours longer, when death would terminate his suJEferings. As a measure of prudence, our oxen were yoked, and our repast being finished, we determined to travel during the night. When moving forward, a lion made the region reverberate with his terrible roar. After midnight, we •halted in a plain, and at dawn of the 25th re-yoked ; and, after about four hours' travelling, arrived at the river, at CHAPTER V. 37 wLicli we aimed. Tlie place we found to be tlie site of a large native town, lately deserted by its inhabitants, in consequence of the war. The situation was beautiful, on a bend of the river, which flowed at the bottom of a semi- circular slope, where the houses stood. January 26th was the Sabbath, and we rested from. travelling and from labour. In the forenoon we collected our families and people together for worship, and gave thanks to our merciful God for His preserving goodness, and prayed for His continued guidance and protection. After the service, the members of the Mission families conversed about the Sabbaths, sanctuaries, and congrega- tions of our fatherland, encouraging ourselves with the belief that we should not be forgotten on that sacred day by our friends at the throne of grace. It is a fact, how- ever mysterious to us, that this was the fii'st time that the voice of praise and prayer, or the name of the eternal God, had been heard in those regions. Our wagons were placed together on an elevated bank of the river, where we had a good view of the amphitheatre of the forsaken town. In the afternoon of the day Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson and myself and wife took a walk among the deserted houses, where we had abundant evidence of the haste with which the late inhabitants had fled. In some parts, houses were partly broken and partly burnt. Here and there were strewn wooden utensils, and sometimes skeletons of persons who had been slain in the assault, or of children who had been left by their friends, and had been killed by the enemy, or perished from starvation. While passing from place to place, I saw the form of a living child, set upon its haunches near the door of a hut. I said, " Tonder is a child." Mrs. Hodgson instantly said, " Where ? What, alive ? " We went to the spot, and found a girl about seven years of age, seated as just de- scribed, with her hands drawn up to the shoulders. No part of her frightfully emaciated form moved but her eyes. There was a large wound on her left side, made, as we 88 FOTTNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. afterwards learnt, by crows. A bare skeleton lay near her, — the bones of her sister, wbo had died from staryation. She had survived until we found her, contending with three hungry dogs and some crows picking the bones ! As our wives lifted her, she made a faint cry. They carried her down to the wagons, and laid her near a fire, on which there was an iron pot, in which was a piece of flesh boiling. She attempted to put in her hands to get hold of it, but was prevented from so doing ; and a little warm milk and water was given her. She continued for a long time a pitiful object ; for her digestive powers were so far lost that, though greedy of solid food, she suffered considerably from the effects of it. She had been left at least eighteen days. Mr. Hodgson and I looked about to find other such objects, if there were any ; but we found only skele- tons. From the desolate condition in which the child was found, I called her Orphina, which thencefoi'ward was her name. As we had Erafsagai, the poor boy before men- tioned, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson took charge of this poor outcast girl. Mrs. Hodgson nursed the foundling with maternal tenderness. These two were the first of the class of such children we met with ; but afterwards such cases became of frequent occurrence in that countiy, not only arising from the frequent wars, but also from the absence of marriage among parents. The same evening two men came to its, one of whom was a Bagoiya, and the other a Barolong ; from whom we learnt that this was the place where Sabbedere and his people had been attacked. They professed not to know anything about Orphina ; so it is probable she belonged to the Man- tatees. They informed us of the direction in which Siffo- nello had fled ; and that they had been separated from his people in the flight, and had concealed themselves near the river until then. As they knew the country, and were de- sirous of joining their Chief, we engaged them to be our guides to him. The name of the Barolong was Rampe Sampe. CHAPTER V. 39 Monday, 27tli.— A tree was cut down, suitable for a new axletree for Mr. Hodgson's wagon ; the iron of tlie old one served for tke new, and in two days it was finished and ad- justed in its place. Although none of our party had served an apprenticeship to the wheelwright business, the new axletree answered the purpose very well. January 29th. — We set forth again, under the guidance of our new acquaintance ; and, cheered with the hope of getting soon among the people to whom we were sent, we travelled nearly north, having the brook No on our right. In the evening, the fore wheels of my wagon sank in a bog, and remained fixed there for the night ; during which the mosquitoes of the swamp were very troublesome, both to us and our cattle. Next morning we were obliged to un- lade the wagon, dig a slope in front, and yoke twenty-four oxen ; when, with great difficulty, it was drawn upon hard ground again. The further we advanced, the more we were delighted with the beauty and fertility of the landscape ; its undula- ting surface, abundant grass, and clumps of trees. In the afternoon, a group of lions appeared on the oppo- site side of the stream. Our people said there were seven in number ; but, while I was reaching my gun, some of them disappeared, so that I only saw three. These were a noble male, with black mane, and two females ; the two latter lay on the ground, with their fore-feet extended, gazing at us. The lion seemed not to like our being too near, for he walked away slowly, turned toward the females, and then walked again, as if trying to decoy them after him. I thought to try my skill as a marksman, as I had shot many wild-bucks ; so, hoping they would remain as they were, I took our two wagon-drivers, each armed with a gun, charging them not to fire until we reached an ant- hill I pointed to ; but, before we arrived at the spot agreed upon, our dogs ran before, and roused the game. They rose, and moved toward the lion. The distance was too great for a good shot, with only a musket ; but as they .40 POUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. were running oflP, I fired, the ball struck tlie ground about their feet, when they made a stand, fixing their eyes upon us, and probably would have resented the affront, had not their attention been arrested by one of my dogs, now at their heels. They turned upon these, and drove them away, then joined their sire, and all three entered a thicket of reeds, where they made a stand, and where we left them. During the ensuing night we often heard their roar, but had no trouble from them. "We rested on the 30th, in order to slaughter a beast, as a day was required to cut the flesh into slices, sprinkle them with salt, and then hang them on the bushes to dry. The bones being boiled made good broth, lacking vegetables and bread, of which we had none. This mode of preparing meat for a journey, we learned from the Dutch farmers in the colony, as both preserving it well, and being conveni- ent for carriage; for, when so dried, it can be put into sacks, and laid on the wagons. At this time our drivers, and their wives, and two or three more who had come with us from the colony, again manifested a spirit of disaffection, and expressed their de- termination to go no further ; as they expected nothing but death if we went on. We used all the persuasion we could to induce them to accompany us, especially as we hoped soon to join the people we were seeking. This was no encouragement to them, as they were afraid of every body. We knew they dare not go back without us, and we were resolved not to return ; so we journeyed on till the evening of the 31st, when they resolved not to proceed another step. They would listen to no more reasoning, persuasion, or promises ; and, in this state of things, we lay down to rest for the night. The question of advancing or returning, was to be decided the next morning. They had no love for souls, no zeal for God ; but accompanied us as hired servants. If we could have engaged pious per- sons, who would have sympathized with our views and feelings respecting the benighted Heathen we were seek- CHAPTER V. 41 ing, in order, instrumentally, to save them, it would have been for our comfort, and have facilitated our great design ; but such companions could not then be obtained. Thank God, it is different now ! for such assistants can now be obtained from the older Mission stations, to go with the messengers of the churches to " regions beyond," where Christ has not been named., February 1st. — There was no discussion this morning respecting advance or retreat; for we could do neither. All our cattle were missing, with the exception of two calves that happened to be tied to the wagon. The men who went in search of them, returned without them, and reported that they had not strayed, but had been driven away ; for they tracked men and dogs following the cattle. Another party was sent on the track, and cam« near them ; but, on the appearance of a few armed natives, returned without them. From their own accounts we had proof that they had acted in a cowardly way. Though there was an appearance at least of imprudence in Mr. Hodgson and myself separating, yet he volunteered to head another expedition, and thej went to the place to which the previous party had traced the robbers ; when they found some of the cattle had been slaughtered, and the others driven away in two divisions, and different directions, so they could not teU which to foJlow. They therefore re- turned to inform me, and our families at the wagons, that there seemed no probability that we should see our cattle any more ! 42 CHAPTER yi. Detention and Perplexity — Mr. Hodgson goes to Siffonello — "Went otit with Prince to shoot Game — Unexpected Success — Mr. Hodgson *s Journey — Escape from eight Lions — Remarkable Dream of a Friend in England at the Time — Meet Natives who are friendly — Siffonello, the Chief — The Curiosity of the People — Untamed Oxen presented to ride on — Left them — Retm-n. It is hardly possible to describe the circnmstances of difficulty and apprehension in which we were now placed ; for oui" oxen were not only necessary to draw the wagons, but the cows with them were the principal means of our subsistence. Providentially I shot a fine koodoo, which afforded a timely supply of flesh for food at present. We were sup- posed to be a fortnight's journey from Campbell, the near- est station from which we could get relief; and we were surrounded by savage men and by beasts of prey. " What shall we do ? " said one to another. My wagon- driver proposed digging a large holC; to bury the boxes in the ground, and setting off in a body, on foot, towards the colony. I replied, " Then you must also hnry me and my wife ; for we cannot perform such a journey." We sought tmto God in our trouble ; and I gratefully record that, when retired among the bushes for meditation and prayer, 1 was kept from despondency, and cheered with the belief that we should not be left to perish. We were twenty in number, including our Bechuana guides ; and how to obtain food for such a party was a question we could not answer. We concluded that an attempt should be made to dis- cover Siffonello, and make him acquainted with our circum- stances, hoping to procure fi'om him cattle for food, and a guard, until we could send to Campbell. This proposal CHAPTER VI. 43 our people could not object to, seeing no other alternative ; and the two wagon drivers, the two Bechuanas, and the interpreter, headed by Mr. Hodgson, set out on this expe- dition, while the four wives, our children, two female servants, a bush boy, the Bagoiya and myself, were left with the wagons. Our trust was in God. On the 7th of February, before sunrise, the party left us, taking with them as much provision as could be spared from our scanty stock, and also a present of such articles as we had for Siffonello, if they found him. During their absence, I walked among the ti-ees neaa* the wagons, with my gun, hoping to obtain some game. We were quite easy in our minds on the subject of water ; for, besides a pool of rain water near the wagons, from which we had hitherto obtained our supply, we saw, or believed we did, a large and beautiful lake in a valley not very distant. One of these mornings, as we had only one day^s provi- sion left, I took Prince, the young Bushman, who came with us from Griqua, some distance from the wagons, in search of game. I was very feeble ; and, since we had been reduced to short allowance — dried flesh and rain water — my ankles and legs became swollen. However, we moved slowly on, until we discovered a herd of the blue gnus, which appeared in fine condition, and very tempting to our hungry stomachs. We advanced toward them with the utmost possible caution, for fear of being discovered by them. When some of them, raised their heads as if they heard us, we lay still in the grass, until they began to feed again : then crept on our hands and knees to get within range. Suddenly they started off. I fired among them, and one fell. Prince jumped for joy to see it down ; but our hopes were soon disappointed ; for it rose, and ran on three legs after the herd, the other leg dangling as if broken, Prince ran after ; but returned to me, saying they were all out of sight. I re-loaded the gun, and, seeing a hartebeest in a valley, we went a distance round, so as to approach it, if possible, 44 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. unperceived. Knowing how nmch depended on this fresh and, probably, last attempt, I sought unto God in prayer for success. After long delay and creeping in the grass very slowly, it either heard or scented us, and ran off. I fired after it, and thought I saw it kick with its hind legs, but it was soon out of sight. So I returned to the wagons in the evening, weary, hungry, and dejected. I found they had cooked the last of their meat, but had saved a little for Prince and me. I could not help taking thought for the morrow ; and, after relating our day's adventure, and when Prince had eaten his portion, I suggested to him and the Bagoiya Bechuana, that they should go and follow the track of the wounded gnu, supposing that probably it might have fallen again from loss of blood. To our great joy and thankfulness they soon returned laden with flesh, not of the gnu, but of the hartebeest, which I feared I had not hit. It is remarkable that it had not only received its death wound, but, as long as it could keep on its feet, had run towards the wagons, not far from which they found it ! Some may regard these circumstances as too trivial for record ; but I think it due to a gracious Providence, who spread our table in the wilderness. This meat served us until Mr. Hodgson's return. The following account of his journey is copied from his journal ; — " Februaiy 7th, 1823.— I left my dear wife and child with Mr. Broadbent and his family, in a truly defenceless state ; and, accompanied by the two wagon- drivers, two Bechu- anas, and the interpreter, we set off on our journey, and, seing a number of spring-bucks, or deer, at some distance, I sent one of my attendants to shoot one for food, and passed on to some reeds growing in the bed of a periodical river. The man who was with me proceeded a little up the river to seek water, and saw eight lions, six full grown and two cubs ; and, when I was within sixty yards of the reeds in which the lions were concealed, he apprised me of my danger. I have been * in deaths often,' but I cannot but CHAPTER VI. 45 regard this as a special instance of providential interfer- ence in my preservation ; for, had not the man changed his course in which he was first going, and thereby, in con- sequence of a bend in the river, reached a spot which gave him a sight of the lions, we must have both fallen a sacri- fice ! How good is the Lord ! and how watchful over His servants ! and how many circumstances, in themselves trifling, lead, in the order of His providence, to the deliver- ance of His people ! " I shall be excused for interrupting Mr. Hodgson's narra- tive, by interposing the relation of an interesting fact which has come to my knowledge since my return to Eng- land. My esteemed colleague had laboured very acceptably and usefully in the Retford Circuit, Nottinghamshire, in which, also, my lot has been cast, and where I found many truly pious and zealous Christians who were seals to his ministry ; and by the congregations throughout the Cir- cuit he was revered and loved. Among these was one named Willey, who showed a warm affection toward his pastor, and deep and lively interest in his welfare, both while he was in the Circuit and after his departure to South Africa. Mr. Willey was a man of earnest prayer, and was much respected by all who knew him. At the period referred to he was remarkably impressed by a dream that his friend in Africa was in some great peril. He could not account for this dream, and the impression it produced, and tried to compose himself again to sleep, but could get no rest. So he rose from his bed, and prayed, if his esteemed friend was in danger, that God would be his shield and protector. Several months after, when Mr. Hodgson's journal was published, it was found, on com- paring dates, that the time of Mr. Willey's dream and solicitude was the same as that of Mr. Hodgson's dano-er and deliverance from the lions ! " February 9th. — This morning early, we passed a de- 4(6 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. serted village ; which our guide having visited, it proved to be one lately left by Siffonello, one of whose men we also met with, having a small number of his cattle in charge, from whom we learnt that we might reach SifFo- nello's present residence about sunset. This man gave us a little milk, and appeared friendly ; while his manly ap- pearance, armed with his assagais and shield, indicated that he would act on the defensive should we prove enemies. We passed a large village, deserted by its inhabitants. Here the houses are built after the Bechuana manner, sur- rounded by a fence ; and some of them have a small garden attached to them. From the broken pots lying about, and the holes out of which the clay had been taken from which they were made, I rejoiced in the hope that we were approaching a population usually stationary, in which I was more confirmed, when, after a quarter of an hour's walk, we reached a large quantity of Kaffir corn, in full bloom, with abundance of water-melons, growing most luxuriantly. Leaving the corn, we ap- proached a small periodical river, where we met several natives attending their cattle to the water. These people appeared open and friendly, and free from all fear, after communicating with the guide; several of them accom- panied us to the residence of those to whom the corn be- longed. Here we rested a short time, and amused the natives with the sight of the few things we had with us, to gain their confidence and friendship; and, receiving from them a supply of milk, we went on our way. The man who brought us milk, upon giving me the bowl ia which it was contained, hastily took it from me, as if he had neglected some part of etiquette ; and, tasting the milk himself, returned it to me with a smile, designing, I presume, to intimate that I need not fear to di'ink that of which he had first partaken. Passing on, we passed another deserted village ; and, ascending a hill, found Siffonello situ- ated among the bushes, to whose residence we were con- ducted by one of his people, who joined us as we di-ew near. CHAPTER VI. 4)7 " Thougli there was no cause for fear, I felt the situation I was in, approaching the residence of uncivilized men, whose minds were open to all the suspicions of a time of war, and in whose power I was about to place myself, in order to gain their friendship, with a view to the ultimate success of the Mission. I could, however, cheerfully rely upon Him who was able to protect in the wilderness, where, probably, no Europeans had been before ; and amongst tkose who had, probably, never seen a white man. SifFonello was found near his house, sitting with several of liis people on the ground, under the shade of a large tree, without any pomp or badge of distinction. Our guide ap- proached, and spoke to him ; and, sitting on the ground, in an open part of the area, we were soon joined by the Chief and his party. A conversation having passed between the Chief and our guide, Siifonello was informed of the object of our visit ; when he stated the pleasure he had in re- ceiving us, and that he had heard of us by his brother, whom we had seen at the Tellow River. A fire being made on the ground, and a circle formed around it, I had an opportunity of presenting the Chief with the presents I had brought consisting of beads, rings, snuff-box, mirror, knife, &c., &c., all which appeared to give him great plea- sure, as well as his wife, wlio took the articles into her care. Tobacco was in great demand, and Siffonello was satisfied that lie should have some when he visited oui- wagons ; and, in signifying his approbation of the pre- sents, he intimated the value of beads, and wished for more. Soon after tbis a fat sheep was presented to me, whicb, of course, was accepted ; and, as it was designed for support, as well as an evidence of friendship, I requested it might be slaughtered in the morning. This present was succeeded by a supply of thick milk, in two wooden bowls, from which, with wooden spoons, we were desired to re- fresh ourselves. After this, a clean, dried ox-hide was brought, upon which it was intended I sliould sleep near a fire. 48 FOUNDING OP THE BECHUANA MISSION. " February lOtli. — At an early hour the people collected to see their new visitor, and never was I an object of stricter scrutiny ; my face and hair, leather cap, coat, shoes, and every other visible part of my person and dress, became in turn the objects of attention ; my pockets were ransacked to find articles of curiosity, and my watch, pocket telescope, knife, &c,, &c., successively excited their astonishment. Siffonello sent me a bowl of new milk, which was indeed a treat ; and, having ordered the sheep he had given me to be slaughtered, a large pot was pre- pared, to cook a part of it for further refreshment. In the mean time, I endeavoured to impress Siffonello and his people with a conviction that we sought their good ; and, asking permission to reside at his stationaiy residence, when settled, received a strong expression of his wish that we should do so. " After arranging what appeared necessary, I intimated a wish to return to my family ; and solicited the loan of two oxen, to effect the journey with more expedition and less fatigue. To this, however, he objected ; wishing me to remain, and accompany him and his people, who would remove from that place to-morrow. Three times I pre- sented my petition, and each time he good-naturedly sought an excuse to detain me, though I promised that three of the people should conduct him to us, and urged that the wagons were left without protectors, and that my family would be anxious on my account. These reasons, how- ever, appeared not to weigh much ; and I almost expected, out of love, to be detained his prisoner at large. The meat being cooked, I invited Siffonello to accompany me to a tree at a short distance, that he might join us in par- taking of his bounty, and where I thought we should be more retired. In this, however, I was disappointed, as we were followed by the multitude. While dining, it was re- ported that two oxen had arrived for me ; and, hastening one of the men, we prepared for our journey, thankful that my wish had been so unexpectedly complied with. The CHAPTER VI. 49 oxen being ready, we mounted, after taking leave of our friends ; but, in a short time, we found our cattle to be the most untractable we had ever seen. The man was thrown from the ox on which he rode, and ourselves nearly so, more than once. After contending with them, and travel- ling about a mile, meeting with some natives, we sent the oxen back, and set forward on foot. " February 11th. — We set off early, hoping to reach the wagons in the evening, in which, however, we were disap- pointed ; as, after travelling over a country similar to that over which we had passed a few days before, towards even- ing we concluded we had missed our way, by having gone too much to the west. We therefore took an easterly course, to find a large collection of mountains, seen from the wagons ; and which, to our great joy, we discovered a little after sunset. Having travelled twelve hours, we felt disposed to rest ; and, cutting some long grass for a bed, I lay down in hopes of being refreshed by sleep. " 12th. — About noon we ascertained our probable dis- tance from the wagons ; at three o'clock saw the tent ; and about six I was welcomed into the bosom of my family, with gratitude to our heavenly Father for all His mercies. This journey, while it has been attended with much mental anxiety, great waste of bodily strength, and not a little danger, will, I hope, tend to further the object of our Mis- sion, as an intercourse is now open with the Chief with whom we wish to settle." Here I will, for a brief space, again break off his narra- tive, to remark that Mr. Hodgson was absent from us about eight days, during which our minds were kept on the stretch of anxiety to know the results of his journey. We were in a defenceless state, as to any visible protection ; but the angel of the Lord encamped around us. One night we heard many voices, and the morning light discovered to us a large party of natives travelling past us, with their cattle, at a short distance ; but whether part of the Man- E 50 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. tatee horde, or some other, we coald not learn ; for, when I went toward them, they fled from me. I often examined the horizon with my telescope, to ob- serve man or beast, if there should be any. On one of these occasions, I discovered a speck. It grew larger, and ap- proached nearer. It was my beloved and longed-for col- league. I informed Mrs. Hodgson, but soon after I lost sight of him ; for, when he discovered the wagons, he sat down to rest himself; but, when he again appeared emerg- ing from a bush, I set off to meet him, followed by his wife, who soon left me behind, and reminded me of the disciple whom Jesus loved, who out-ran Peter ; for she was the first to welcome the object of our desire. But while we were grateful to God for our mutual pre- servation, I was deeply affected by his emaciated and ex- hausted appearance. His countenance was pale and thin, and his feet were blistered and much swollen. However, after a night's rest, with washing and change of apparel, he soon recovered his wonted looks, as he proceeded to inform us of his success in finding the Chief, and of his friendly reception. 51 CHAPTER YII. Meeting with Siffonello and the Barolongs — Prepare to send to Camp- bell — Lions — Arrival of Siffonello and liis Son Moroko at Deten- tion — Unexpected Return of our Oxen — Providential Events — Mantatees and Griquas fight — Mirage — Journey resumed — Arrival with Siffonello and Moroko at their Place — Flood — Lion — Journey to Nalassi Mountains — Lions — Arrive at Maquassi — Dwelliiig- house built. One immediate advantage resulting from Mr. Hodgson's interview witli Siffonello was, tliat lie would send "us cattle for food, and armed men as a guard ; but, as we had no expectation of being able to get our wagons drawn, until we could get fresli oxen from Griqualand, we were still in perplexity, not knowing liow to send information of our condition and wants. It is true, our time yras not wholly lost ; for I was daily applying myself to acquii'e the lan- guage, as far as I could, by means of the few persons about us who spoke it. Seeing only one course open to us, which was to send messengers and letters to the Rev. Mr. Sass, of Campbell, to request him to engage men to come with trained oxen to our relief, we proposed to our wagon- drivers to undertake this journey, leaving their wives with us until their return ; and, to induce them thereto, offered them a liberal reward, including a wagon, &c., to convey themselves and their families back to the colony, and re- leasing them from their engagement with us. After some hesitation, and, in fact, seeing no other alternative in the -circumstances in which we were placed, they consented ; and, after a day or two of rest, began their preparation for the proposed journey, by repairing their shoes, or making new ones, straps, knapsacks, &c. An incident connected with this may be noticed. Tavo E 2 52 FOUNDING or THE BECHUANA MISSION. beast -hides were put into the pool of water to soften, to be- cut into straps for the several purposes required ; but four lions came to the water, (I suppose, to drink,) and, scent- ing these hides, unceremoniously drew them out, and de- voured them. This delayed our men until some other hides were softened for their purpose. Siffonello deferred his coming longer than we expected, which was a trial to our patience. However, on the 17th of the month he came, with fourteen attendants, one of whom was his eldest son and heir, Moroko, who has since succeeded to the chieftainship of the tribe. They were noble figures, tall, and well proportioned. They brought bags of milk, and a fat cow for slaughter. After being introduced, the Chief asked for a vessel, into which some of the milk they had brought might be poured, and a large white bason was ha^nded to him that seemed to at- tract his attention. When the milk was poured into it, he beckoned to us to sit down, which we did, with his men in a circle. After he had drunk of the milk, he handed the bason to us, and we also drank. I found they called this mashee-lu-ees, or sweet milk ; not very sweet though, after having been exposed to heat, and churned on their heads or shouMers, during a journey of two days. But, notwith- standing, it was a luxury to us, after being so long de- prived of milk. For their own sustenance, they had milk in sacks, called mashee-horiJoo, of a consistence nearly- resembling cream cheese. In expectation of the departure of our messengers to Campbell, we were engaged in transcribing from our Journals and writing letters ; and, as we knew no name of the place where we were detained, we dated them at Detention, and described our position and circumstances. On the 18th, while thus engaged, some of the people pre- sent discerned at a distance some cattle, or a herd of gnus or buffaloes. As an enemy was then in the land, Siffonello closely watched their movements. It soon became evident that they drew nearer to us, and were not wild beasts, but CHAPTEE VII. 53 cattle driven by men ; but whether by friends or foes, we knew not. All eyes were directed toward them. I reached the telescope, and clearly ascertained that a number of cattle were being driven by only a few men toward us. I went to Mr. Hodgson, who was busy writing in his wagon, and said, "I think our oxen are coming." He quickly replied, '" Impossible ! " and took no further notice, plainly intima- ting that he did not wish to be interrupted in his writing. So I withdrew. Meanwhile, our wives were using the telescope on the same objects ; for, owing to the form of the ground, they could be seen a great distance. They handed me the glass to look again ; when, scanning them minutely, I first thought that I discovered one of our cows, and soon observed an ox with only one horn, and I knew that one of ours had a horn broken off. I went a second time to Mr. Hodgson, and said, " Come out of your wagon, and satisfy yourself; our cattle are come ! " He came out, and saw, and exclaimed, " Why, this is miraculous ! " All we could learn about them was, that it seemed the party who had stolen them had abandoned them, from fear, as I suppose ; and, some of the Barolongs, discovering them, and knowing from theii* Chief's visit to us our posi- tion, had conducted them to our wagons. How wonderful are the ways of Providence ! and how needful it often is for a Missionary to " stand still, and see the salvation of God ! " At this juncture of our affairs there are several points that merit special notice, as proofs of providential inter- position. On these circumstances, Mr. Hodgson remarks in a letter to the Missionary Committee in London : — " Had our oxen not been lost, most likely our people, in their then state of mind, would have compelled us to return to the colony ; or, if the oxen had been found sooner, before the interview with Siffonello had been effected, we could not have prevailed with our hirelings to have tra- velled to the place where he was then residing. And, it is also worthy of remark, that some circumstances occuiTed 5'4< FOUNDING OF THE EECHUANA MISSION. just at that time, wliicli formed an inducement to our peo- ple, not only to bring us to SifFonello, but also to settle ■with us at liis permanent town. Thus we were now delivered from our chief difficulties, and the door appeared fully open for the commencement of our Mission. Our detention was doubtless in mercy to ourselves, and to the people to whom we were bringing ' the Gospel of peace ; ' and, I trust, the remembrance of these things will ever fill our minds with gratitude." There were likewise other circumstances, besides those mentioned by Mr. Hodgson, which must be ascribed to the same special and gracious providence, both as regards the time when our progress was stopped, and also when we were able to leave the place of our detention ; for, owing to the movements of the invading Mantatees, Siffonella was not residing at his previous place ; and, in counsel with his Chiefs, had determined to select a new site for their permanent abode, to which they would repair as soon as they could have rest from their enemies round about. Our guides did not know his whereabouts at the time, and firom the route We were travelling when our oxen were taken away, v/e should, in all probability, have missed him, and have been obliged to turn towards the north, by which we should have come in the way of the host of Mantatees who then were in that direction, as discovered by George Thompson, Esq., and described in the volumes of his travels in that region ; and were repulsed by the Griquas, who were mounted on horseback, and possessed fire-arms. The Man- tatees were estimated at forty or fifty thousand. They had not seen horses before, and thought that the horse and the rider were one animal ; neither had they previously been opposed with fire-arms. They evinced desperate boldness in the unequal contest, and made two or three attempts to surround these strange animals which " spit fire" at them ; and, it was not until about five hundred had been shot, that they commenced their retreat from their assailants, whom they could not reach with their weapons; for the CHAPTER VII. 55 Griqnas galloped away to reload tlieir guns, and then returned to fire.* Our cattle had been missing seventeen days, during which time a poor calf, which was tied to one of the wagons when they were driven away, had subsisted on grass and water ; but had become very lean. When they returned, it sought among them for its own mother, and we observed her incline hesitatingly towards it, but at length allow it to suck : by degrees her milk returned, and the calf recovered its flesh and vigour. We rewarded the men who had brought the cattle, which we were ready on the following day to yoke once more, and, under the guidance of the Chief himself, to proceed to the place where the principal part of his tribe were located. During our detention, we had been under no apprehen- sion whatever, that any danger existed that we should suffer from want of water; for, although the pool from which Ave had been supplied hitherto was daily diminish- ing, and would not suffice for our cattle, now that they had come, more than one day, we had felt confident of abun- dance in the beautiful lake we had beheld every day since we came here, from which we expected an inexhaustible supply of that necessary element. Day after day I had gazed with satisfaction and thankfulness upon its water, saw it stirred into waves by the breeze, and now and then the wild bucks and other animals come to its border and drink, and sometimes stand in the water itself. All this, however, proved to be an illusion, — the mirage^ " waters that fail." ( Jer. xv. 18.) Alas, for us, if deliver- ance had not come ! For, when our wagons moved, as directed by our new guides, they went direct toward this supposed lake. I wondered how we should get over it ; but thought it must be that our guides knew it to be sufficiently shallow for the oxen to wade through. But it turned out to be a dry, barren, flat piece of ground, alike * See an account of this battle in Moffat's " Missionary Labours and Scenes in Southern Africa," chap. xxii. 56 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. destitute of moisture and vegetation, thougli surrounded by luxuriant verdure. We saw the hand of God, first, in stopping our progress by permitting our cattle to be taken away, by which we found the people we were in search of ; next, in restoring them in time to prevent our own people setting off for Campbell ; in sending help, before all the water in the little pool was used, or dried up ; and in keeping our minds from fear of drought, by the appearance of plenty not far distant. He led us a way we knew not : we trusted in Him, and were not confounded ! Our night of anxiety was followed by a morning of bright prospects and hope. As the evening of the day on which our cattle ariived drew on, Siffonello suggested that it would be prudent to make an enclosure for them during the night ; as, besides strolling Mantatees and Bushmen, there were also many lions in that part. So his people and ours set to work, and made a fold of thorn bushes, which answered the purpose of keeping them together. We found on counting them that eight were missing, which we supposed had been slaughtered by those who had driven them away. The following morning we once more put the yokes on their necks, and started afresh. Siffonello took his seat on my wagon, and Moroko, his son, on Mr. Hodgson's, their people running beside them, and dii'ecting the way. This mode of travelling was quite new to them, as they had never seen wagons before. In the evening we bivouacked at a place surrounded by trees, and the night was cold. Next morning we proceeded on our journey, travelling with unwonted speed, our oxen being in fine condition after their long rest from the yoke. In the afternoon, Siffonello often looked before us with evident concern ; and when he discovered at a distance their herds of cattle, grazing under the protection of their armed herdsmen, he pointed them out with evident satis- faction, and began humming one of their songs as we rode along. CHAPTER VII. 57 "No sooner were our wagons seen approaching their place, than numbers of their people came to meet ns; among whom I recognised the Chief's brother, Sabbedere, and some of the warriors we had seen with him near the Yaal River. I could not but be gratified by observing the respectful manner in which the}'- approached Siffonello, their Chief, by placing their hands on their breast, with an inclination of the head forward, saying, "Bu7nela, Kossi." The last word means " Chief," or " King ; " the other is a term of salutation. We were soon astonished and delighted to behold a much larger number of houses than we had seen before, belonging to natives of Afi-ica ; and wept for joy, thanking God for having preserved us, and brought us in safety to this people. It was about a year and a half since I left Cape Town, with my wife and family, to enter upon this Mission ; and I seemed to forget all the way we had come, the afflictions we had endured, and the trials and perils through which we had passed, counting them all as nothing, now that our object in coming was being attained. Wherefore, we thanked God, and took coui-age ! After looking around for a suitable place where to draw our wagons, and pitch our tent, we selected a ridge near a small river, called the Roralla, where was a plain lying parallel with the river, between our location and five hun- dred native houses, which were built on the slope on the other side of the plain. On the following days we were visited by crowds of people, all eager to gratify their cui'iosity, by gazing on our persons, wagons, and, in fact, everything about us. Though we were endeavouring to learn words and sen- tences of their language, yet their talking so rapidl}^ and so many together, rendered this most difficult. The following incident will serve to show how one sentence was acquired. One day, Siffonello, observing how the people thronged us to our discomfort, said, in a commanding tone, " Tsamai talita ; " when they immediately withdrew. 68 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. Those words were too useful to be forgotten ; so, on a sub- sequent occasion, in similar circumstances, I used them with the same result. They mean, '' Go, quick ! " We had not been long at this place, before one morning we found ourselves upon an island. From heavy rain at a distance, the Roralla had overflowed its banks, and covered the plain on the other side of our wagons. Had the water risen much more, we should have been compelled to decamp as well as we could; but, happily, toward evening, the waters subsided. This flood furnished us v/ith an illus- tration of Jeremiah xlix. 19, where Nebuchadnezzar is represented as coming against Judea, fierce as a lion, when driv^en from his lair in the thicket by " the swelling of Jordan : " for one of these royal beasts, unknown to us, was lurking in a thicket of the Roralla, near our wagons ; but was forced out of his lair by the flowing water, and began to roar terrifically, as if irritated at being disturbed. The natives rushed to the assault ; but he fled before such a host of men and dogs, frequently lifting up his voice, as if threatening to retaliate, if they did not cease to annoy him ; for, having no fire-arms, they could only attack him with clubs and spears, but were afraid to approach near enough to do much execution. His voice gradually became less audible, as he receded from us. We had not shown the people the use of fire-arms yet ; but one evening, while Sifibnello with some of his attend- ants stood at my wagon, a fine Guinea fowl came and perched in a tree, too high to be reached by their weapons. Having several times before treated myself and family with one of these birds, I was glad of the opportunity to do so again so conveniently; and so reached a fowling-piece, kept charged in the wagon, and quickly brought the bird down. Sifibnello observed me in silence, and when he saw the instantaneous effect of the shot, he seemed as much delighted as he was astonished at it ; and repeatedly tried to imitate the sound of the gun-lock, and the report it made, and the sudden fall of the bird. CHAPTER VII. 59" As this locality was not intended to be tlie permanent residence of tlie tribe, we did not attempt the erection of any buildings here. However, in several respects, we were furthering the object of our Mission ; by acquiring their language. Every well-ascertained word was added to our vocabulary, with as much care as a miser adds to his store. Sometimes we made mistakes in a word, or pronunciation^ and got laughed at, yet always in good humour. If I had- j)ossessed books, and a living teacher, I should not have found much difficulty in acquiring the language, as I had learnt Portuguese and Dutch in a comparatively short time ; but, in the absence of either, it was veiy difficult. We also were becoming acquainted with the people, and gaining their confidence ; showing them an example of integrity and kindness, charging our people not to give any offence ; to prevent which our constant vigilance, over some of them, was necessary. After residing a few vv^eeks near the Roralla, orders were issued to the people to prepare for removing. Early one morning the whole population was on the move; oxen packed, and women laden with heavy burdens on the head, and many of them also with a child on their back, or side ; while the men, armed, drove the cattle. It was an inter- esting sight to behold an extensive tract of country covered with people and their cattle. During the after part of the day, we perceived a strong and not disagreeable aromatic odour ; on examining into the cause of which, we found it arose from the spearmint, which covered many thousand acres of ground, and perfumed the aii' as it was bruised by the oxen and wagons. In the evening of a long day's journey, we halted for the night on the slopes of one side of the Nalassi mountains, where we found the remains of dwellings, and cattle-folds, very neatly built of stone. The next day we proceeded to a place beautifully wooded, and luxuriant with grass. On account of the excellent pas- turage, the Chief and his people resolved to remain here awhile J which was by no means agreeable to us, as we *€0 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. were becoming weary of this wandering mode of life, and were anxious to become settled, that we miglit set about tbe erection of houses in which to dwell. , While at this lovely place, a number of lions thought to feast themselves on some of the cattle, and boldly entered one of the folds. The evening was dark and wet, so that it was with no little peril that the people rushed to the defence of their cattle. For a considerable time, the noise of men shouting, lions roaring, and oxen lowing, was alarming, and great commotion prevailed; but, towards midnight, quiet was restored. In the morning Sabbedere approached our wagons with the skin of one of the lions in his hand, just taken from the carcase of one of our assail- ants, which had been slain by him in the conflict of last evening. His sang-froid was quite amusing; for if the Bechuana Chiefs pride themselves on one thing more than another, it is their valour. He said not a word respect- ing the night's conflict, or how he had killed the lion ; but with an air of indifference held the skin in his hand, proof sufficient of the death of the ferocious beast, and asked if we would buy it. On inquiry, I found that he was the hero who had slain it with a spear. He had no inten- tion, however, to sell it, for it was a trophy too valuable, in his estimation, to part with. Soon after, he returned with a cow, having a horn broken off in the struggle of last night; she was bleed- ing profusely, and his apprehension was that it could not be staunched, and she would die. I gave him the price in beads that he asked for her, and our own men took her in hand, bound up the part whence the horn had been broken, and the bleeding was stopped. A few days after, when he saw the cow alive and well, he wanted a larger price for her ; however, after a little reasoning and pleasantry about his offering for sale a dying animal, he allowed the matter to drop ; but, as she turned out to be a very valuable cow, I afterwards made him a present. We could get no satisfac- torj information as to when the tribe intended to proceed to CHAPTER VII. 61 the place of tlieir permanent residence ; so we applied to Siffonello to let us know where it would be, that we might go first, and prepare places for shelter before winter. Moreover, my dear wife was in a situation which made it necessary that we should get into a fixed habitation as soon as posiible. On a representation of these circumstances to Siffonello, lie went with Mr. Hodgson to the site chosen for the new town intended for their settled abode. On their return we were delighted with Mr. Hodgson's description of it, as. being a well selected and beautiful place called Maquassi. In a few days after we struck our tents, and went there. Having previously learnt the part on which the natives would build their houses, we selected a site on which to build ours, at a convenient distance from theirs, so as to be separate and yet accessible. We had some doubts respect- ing an adequate supply of water for so large a population, as the fountain which had been pointed out to us was not very copious. However, as there was a periodical river at a short distance, at which their cattle would drink, we sup- posed that the people would fetch water from it, or that they probably knew of other springs in the locality not yet seen by us. Here, then, we set to work in earnest, first to collect material with which to construct our habitations. My case being urgent, induced me to cut down timber, of which there was a tolerable supply in the neighbourhood, to build a house in the manner of the natives, though of a different form. The width was limited by the length of beams we could get, and the length such as admitted of a division into three parts : one end for a lodging-room, the other end a room of equal size, which was divided into halves, one for a pantry, the other for books, implements, &c. ; and the centre room, which was the largest, for our sitting and dining apartment. In building this house, we dug holes in the ground at proper distances, in which we set up perpendicular posts, well fastened by ramming the- '62 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. eartli in around them. We tlien placed horizontal beams along tlie top, and fastened these and the rafters with thongs cut from the hides of oxen, which, being used Y/hile soft, became, when dry, hard and firm. The intermediate space between the main posts was filled with smaller spars, crossed with woodbines, and the squares filled up with clay, which, when dry, was whitewashed within and without. This kind of work the people per- formed under my direction; but I and my wagon-driver had to make the door and window frames, and fix them in the walls. The whole was covered with thatch made of long grass. For doors and window- shutters we nailed together the boards of j)acking cases. I had a view to this when I chose those cases for my goods when in the colony. Hinges, locks, door latches, &c., with nails and screws, we had taken with us. The native women made for us an excellent floor of material from ant-hills, which they first pounded, then .spread even, and sprinkled with v/ater, after which they, in a kind of dance, stamped it with their feet, so that, when dry, it was both hard and smooth. Our lodging-room was first completed, that we might be ready for the expected addition to our family. I made a bedstead of poles and leather straps, on which was laid our hair mattress, which had served first for our 'sea cot, then for our wagon bed. The house was conse- crated to God by prayer and praise. We were followed to this place in a few weeks by Siifo- nello and his people ; first by a party who made folds for their cattle, then by the whole tribe j and in a short time .a populous town was built. i 63 CHAPTER YIII. Birth of a Son — The Bechuanas build the Town — Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson leave for Griqualand — The Barolongs precipitately flee at the Approach of the Mantatees — Our Condition, and the Attempt of Siffonello to induce us also to flee — Left by our own People — Reflections — Passing of the dreaded Enemy — ^Ir. Hodgson's un- expected Arrival — His Account of the State of Things at Griqua Town — Battle at Latakoo — His Return for my Rescue — Extracts from his Journal — State of the defeated Army — Mr. Hodgson's return to Griqua, accompanied by Moroko — Murder of Rampe- Sampe, our Cattle-watcher — Our Cattle driven away — Their Re- turn in a Fog — State of Native Children — Dig Wells. On tlie 1st of July, 1823, my dear wife was safely de- livered of a fine healtliy son, and thougL. suffering many privations, yet eventually, by tlie mercy of God, she hap- pily recovered. We had for a long time been destitute of bread and vegetables ; so the best substitute for her diet, in those circumstances, was milk and beef-tea ; and, as a relish with the latter, I occasionally broiled on a gridiron small bits of salt meat. A few weeks before this event, the Barolongs came and made folds for their cattle; then built houses for them- selves. These erections requiring much wood, they cut down indiscriminately all the trees suitable for their pur- pose, even all that we left standing in the vicinity of our dwellings for shade and ornament j and so destroyed the park -like appearance of the landscape. On the 9th of the month, my wife being judged sufficiently reco\rered to be left, after baptizing our child, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson left us to go to Griqua Town, in order to send letters into the colony, and receive any that might have been sent there for us ; also to bring the boxes we 64 FOUNDING OP THE BECHUANA MISSION. had left there, and procure com for bread, of which we had long been deprived. We Lad not heard of the Mantatees for several months, and thought that both our wagons might be spared to go- on the proposed journey, with only one of our families; while I and my family might with prudence and safety be left to prosecute the objects of the Mission, more especially by the study of the language, the attainment of a know- ledge of which we deemed of paramount importance. In fact, my feeble state of health rendered much physical exertion impracticable, but did not hinder thought ; indeed, my mind was so engaged with words and sentences of Sichuana, that frequently during the night I was kept from the sleep I so much needed, by the intensity of my desire to ascertain the meaning of words, and how to connect them together. This was my principal occupa- tion at this period, and nothing remarkable occurred at the station, until about three weeks after Mr. Hodgson's de- parture, when we were disturbed before daylight, one morning, by a great noise in the town, of shouting among the people, and lowing of cattle, with barking of dogs. I rose, and, opening the window shutter of our lodging-room, saw in the twilight parties of armed men, driving herds of cattle, and followed by women and children laden with such things as they could carry. I hastily drew on my clothes, and went outside the house to inquire the reason of this commotion ; but the noise and hurry were such that I could get no reply for a considerable time. At length I was told that the Mantatees were approaching, and alsa that they were not many hours distant. This information was certainly alarming; and it was evident the people believed it. To my dear wife, who was in our lodging-room with the two children, I communicated the report. At once the difficulty and peril of our situation were apparent ; both of us being in a very feeble state of health, with two children, one a baby, and having no wagon to convey us away. We CHAPTER VIII. 65 had no clioice but to remain where we were, and put our trust in God. The peox^le and their flocks and herds being gone, Siffo- nello and a few of his chief men came to my house, and, addressing me in a quick and earnest manner, said, " Come, won't you flee ? " I knew this was impossible ; so I replied, rather coolly, " No." He rejoined, " You will be destroyed if you do not." I answered, " I hope not ; I hope the Mantatees will not come here ; and, if they do, I hope they will not destroy us." On hearing these words, the Chief and his men looked at each other in evident concern, and then endeavoured to impress me with the certainty of our destruction, if we did not accompany them. Though I did not state my reasons, as I could expect but little sympathy from them in the matter of my feebleness and my wife's unfitness to travel, I merely answered, " "Well, I will venture that ; we will not flee." Sifi'onello, in a somewhat vehement manner, replied, " I cannot remain to defend you ; it would be madness to hazard a battle, they are too strong for us." Seeing that he had got the impression that I thought he ought to remain and defend us, I said, " Siffonello, Chief, understand me ; if you judge it necessary for your safety, and that of your people and cattle, to flee, do .so. I do not desire you to risk a battle. Never mind us, leave us, we will remain here." This answer appeared to astonish and afi'ect both the Chief and his attendants. Siffonello, in a softened voice, tried to persuade me; and expressed his sorrow to be obliged to leave us, and his apprehension of what would be the consequence of our remaining. Having stayed nearly two hours after his people had gone, being reluctant to leave us, he said, " I can stay no longer; " and then took a respectful leave, and v/ith quick step went after the rest. Siffonello's conduct on this occasion gave me great satis- faction, as showing the sincerity of his regard for us, which, indeed, he continued to manifest as long as the emergency lasted. p 66 FOTJNDINa OF THE BECH1TANA MISSION. It will be stated by-and-by tbat thougli tbe dreaded Mantatees were actually in our vicinity, and were passing lis at only a sbort distance during several days, yet tliey did not come to our place ; I suppose, in ignorance of our position, and of our defenceless state. Mercifully, Divine Providence kept them from us. This fact, and my refusal to flee, obtained for me tlie credit of great courage, whicb, indeed, I did not possess ; for I should certainly have fled with my family, if it had been possible. The Barolongs reported long afterwards that I would not flee from the whole army of the Mantatees, and that they dared not come to the Station while I was there ! There remained with us, after the Chief and those with him had left, the wives of our wagon -drivers, and a native boy and girl ; but while myself and wife were taking some food in our room, these fled also, without letting us know of their intention to do so. And now we and our two children were left alone. A melancholy silence prevailed during the remainder of the afternoon. The evening drew on, and the usual sounds of men, flocks, and herds, were not heard around us. The sun set, and the shades of night mantled over us. I sat alone in the centre room of our dwelling, my wife and children in the adjoining lodg- ing room. I was not without gloomy and depressing fore- bodings, as to what might be the events of that night; when, suddenly, it was spoken to me, as clearly as by a voice in the ear, " The name of the Lord is a strong tower ; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.*' I in- stantly closed the window-shutter, — for we had no glass, — went into the room with my wife and children, and in prayer and faith committed ourselves to the protection of that Name. Strange as it may appear, yet it is a fact, we were sooner than usual wrapped in sleep, and rested better that night than we had been accustomed to do. I arose the following morning, much refreshed with a good night's rest, and in great composure of spirit. After CHAPTER VIII. 67 listening in vain for tlie sound of many voices, from per- sons, who, I supposed, would be surrounding us, I cau- tiously opened tlie door, and looked out ; but saw no one. I tben stepped over the threshold, casting my looks right and left ; still no one appeared. Next I went outside, and looked around ; but not a human being could be seen, nor a human voice be heard. I returned into the house to inform my wife, and set to work to kindle a fire, and pre- pare for a breakfast of such eatables as we had. On looking out about half an hour afterwards, I saw about half a dozen armed men walking quickly towards our dwelling, and waited their arrival ; these were some of Siffonello's warriors, who had been dispatched by him to inform me of the movements of the enemy. They reported that the Mantatees were travelling on the other side of a ridge to the east. During the day, other parties arrived, bringing similar information; and so like- wise the second and third day : so well did SifFonello keep me informed of their position and movements. On this last day, they informed me that the main body had passed : but that there were still small parties and stragglers here and there, and that they appeared in a most wretched plight from want of food ; so as to be eating dogs, cow- dung, and, in fact, their own dead ! I gathered, also, that, though the Barolougs avoided a collision with the main body of them, yet they were cutting off scores of the poor stragglers. While receiving the above information from Siffonello's scouts, our attention was suddenly called to the heights behind our houses, where the tilts of two waggons appeared. When they drew near, it turned out to be my colleague, Mr. Hodgson, who had learnt our peril before we knew it ourselves, and, heroically leaving his wife and child at Griqua Town, had come to oui* rescue. The following extracts from his published journal will explain the cir- cumstances in which he left Griqualand, and also confirm the reports of the Barolongs respecting the famishing con- F 2 68 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. dition of the Mantatees. Recording his journey to Griqua- land, he writes : — " July 19th, — "We reached Campbell, and found that Mr. Sass, the Missionary, had left this station for Griqua Town, with his family and goods, in consequence of the invading enemy having advanced into the neighbourhood of the Kuruman. " 21st. — We reached Griqua Town, and met with a most kind reception from Messrs. Helm and Sass, also Hamil- ton and Moffatt, who had retired with their families to this place for greater security from the advancing enemy. The invading tribes are truly formidable, both as to their number and courage. About one hundred men, principally Griquas, on horseback, using guns, were only able, after several hours' conflict, to repulse them ; and Mr. Melville, the Government agent, who was present, expressed himself astonished at the resolute ferocity of the foe. He also stated that the Bechuanas were but as children before them. To the efforts of those Griquas, and other natives, who have been raised into a state of comparative civiliza- tion by Missionary labours, and to the prudent and spirited measures of Mr. Melville, and the Missionaries of the London Society, the colony of the Cape of Good Hope is indebted for its preservation from the consequences of a terrible eruption of these barbarous tribes on the northern frontier, the half-caste tribes thus forming a barrier against the inroad of savage tribes upon the colony." The approach of the Mantatees, and the proceedings of the Griquas thereon, with particulars of the fight referred to by Mr. Hodgson, are given by George Thompson, Esq., in his volumes of travels in that part of Africa. He was the first European that saw the advancing hordes, and gave the alarm at the Kuruman, and Griqua Town. The Jounaal of the Rev. R. Moifatt also recounts the same events. Before the arrival of Mr. Hodgson at Griqua CHAPTER VIII. 69 Town, tlie Missionaries there assembled and tlie Griqua Chiefs had held a consultation respecting us, whom they sup- posed, if not already destroyed, to be beyond all hope of escape. On their making inquiry of some of the prisoners who remained among them, whether they had seen lis, their reply was, that several moons since, they saw walk- ing houses, full of devils ! I suppose this must have been when they fled so precipitately fi'om our wagons ; for that corresponds with the time indicated by them. The Missionaries and Chiefs then offered a liberal reward to any of the Griquas who would go into the region where we were supposed to be, to ascertain whether we were yet living or not. At this juncture, they were agreeably sur- prised to observe the approach of our wagons. They went out to meet them, and one or two of their wives were so much overjoyed, that they outran their husbands, one of whom, with wonderful agility, sprang upon the footboard of the first wagon, without waiting for the oxen to be stopped. Their exuberant joy was soon turned into fear and apprehension, when they found that my wagon was empty ; that I, and my wife, and family were in the inte- rior, and there without a conveyance to remove us, or any other means of escape. The noble conduct of my esteemed colleague in this emergency will be appreciated by all who read the follow- ing account, as it is by me to this day. Happily at the time, myself and wife were free from anxiety ; being, in fact, totally ignorant of our peril. Mr. Hodgson writes : — " The retreating enemy having taken the direction of Maquassi, where we had left Mr. Broadbent and his family, ignorant of their danger, and without the means of flight, it appeared at once a clear duty to relieve them from their most distressing situation. " As, soon, therefore, as arrangements could'be made, I hastened to return to Maquassi, leaving my dear wife and child at Griqua Town. In parting with them, I felt no 70 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. anxiety as to their safety and comfort, as I was leaving them Tinder the protection of the London Society's Missionaries, from whom we always received the most brotherly affec- tion ; yet I could not regard the separation but with pain- ful feelings, from the possibility that I might fall a sacri- fice to the cruelty of the defeated invaders, while dis- charging my duty to a Missionary brother and his family. It was by no means certain, indeed, that I should not have to return with the distressing intelligence that they were all murdered, and thus my journey prove to be in vain; but I was, nevertheless, bound by duty to God, to the church, and to my colleague, to venture upon the perils obviously connected with it. "August 3rd. — I set off for Maquassi, and, having tra- velled till a late hour to reach where were both grass and water, we wandered about in the dark for some time, having missed our path, resolved to rest in the plain adjoining a small bush that afforded us but little firewood, and less shelter from the wind, which was extremely cold. " Next morning we rose early, and, pursuing our journey, ■we soon came to the place where we had designed to sleep. On approaching the wood, I was surprised to behold a fire, at which two females were occupied in cooking, while a man was laid, apparently asleep, near them. The two women attempted to conceal themselves under a bush, supposing, I presume, that we should pass them unob- served. Upon going near the fire, however, we found them employed in cooking the leg of a human being ! We were now satisfied of this being a part of the retreating enemy, a division of whom had evidently rested in this place on the preceding day. Horror-struck at the scene before us, I was truly thankful that my dear wife was not present to behold it ; and I gratefully acknowledged the kind provi- dence of the Almighty in suffering us to miss our path the preceding evening ; for thereby we escaped the misery of witnessing the disgusting proceedings of this people in the shades of night, apprehensive, as we should have been, of CHAPTER VIII. 71 the dangei* of being attacked by them, who would have rejoiced in our death, as furnishing them, by eating our flesh, with the means of continued existence. I hastened back to the wagons, to consider how to act ; and, determin- ing to leave the place as soon as possible, the necessary arrangements were made without delay. But, before our departure, I returned to the wretched beings near the wood, and now obsei^ved the skeleton of a full-grown man, part of the body of another, a leg and an arm having been cut off; the head was opened, and, the bowels being drawn out, the internal part of the body was exposed to view. One of the women was roasting part of the leg upon the coals, and the other was engaged with the man in eating with savage gi^eediness the portion which had just been cooked. I was sick at the sight, and felt what I cannot describe, especially on seeing the man break the bones of the deceased with a stone, and suck them with apparent delight. *' My abhorrence of their employment, manifested in the most unequivocal manner, appeared to make no impression on them. The man scarcely regarded me, and the woman looked on the dead body before her, and pronounced the name of the deceased, who, I believe, had died from hunger or fatigue ; and these three persons had probably remained behind their companions, to save themselves from a similar fate by preying on the dead. " Not knowing but a division of the enemy might be ad- vancing on the same track, we hastened from the spot, and were soon joined by four Koranas, who, having seen the wagons at a distance, came to inform us that the enemy was encamped upon the Yaal river, at no great distance from us, and near the ford which we had to cross. " Approaching some trees in the evening, where we de- signed to rest for the night, the oxen took fright at a lion, which attempted to seize one of them in the yoke ; the frightened animals overturned, and broke, one of the wagons, and greatly endangered our personal safety, while 72 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. galloping into the plain. After liaving with mucli diffi- culty succeeded in stopping them, we immediately made a fii'e, and set the dry grass on fii-e around to deter the lion from approaching ; and then made our arrangements for the night as well as we could. One of our boys was nearly seized by another lion while gathering a little dry grass to make a fire ; two oxen were killed, and we were all much disturbed during the night by the roar of wild beasts around us. " 5th. — "We succeeded in the afternoon of this day in getting away from the disastrous spot. In the course of our journey we were joined by two of Siffonello's people, who had been watching the movements of the enemy, and who informed us that they were not far distant, in three divisions, but were retiring up the Yaal river. " On the 6th we reached Maquassi, and found Mr. Broadbent as usual, and his family in health. While I rejoiced at their safety, they were filled with gratitude to God for bringing me to their relief; for the Chief and his people had left the station on hearing of the approach of the invading tribes. The hired servants of Mr. Broadbent's establishment left him without any intimation of their design, or any offer to assist him in his flight. He had no wagon in which to remove his family, and was unable from his weak state of health to retire on foot from the station, should he be threatened with an attack. " The Lord, however, had graciously concealed from them the knowledge of their danger the greater part of the time I was absent ; but brought me to their relief soon after they had become aware of its extent. Their faith in God was put to a most painful test, and it was only strong con- fidence in Him, and the sustaining power of Divine conso- lation, that enabled the whole family to maintain that calm and resigned state of mind in which we found them." The above extract shows the kind of people by whom we were then surrounded, and the perils to which we were CHAPTER VIII. 73 exposed. It remains for me to state what liad occuiTed at the station, and what we knew of our danger, prior to his arrival. Respecting the cannibalism of the people he had fallen in with, I think their devouring human flesh arose from starvation,' for, during my sojourn in that land, I never heard of an instance of the kind except from distress, and then not killing another in order to eat, but only eating of the dead. Of this I heard of many instances. These retreating hordes, after their repulse by the fire- arms of the Griquas, who had horses, lost the bulk of their cattle, which were taken on that occasion by their con- querors and the Buttapees. Messrs. Thompson, Melville, and others, who had seen them, reported their warriors at between 40,000 and 50,000, besides a vast number of women and children. Mr. Melville stated to myself that, in report- ing their numbers to the colonial authorities, they had unden-ated them, not to create more alarm in the colony than existed on their account ; but that he was convinced their number was many more. No wonder, then, that such a multitude, deprived of their principal means of subsist- ence, should be in the greatest extremities from want. Mr. Hodgson is quite correct in the statement which he has given, that we were grateful to God for his timely arrival ; for we had been for several days and nights in a state of painful suspense and apprehension ; but as I knew then that the three great divisions of the enemy had passed to the eastward, and that only famishing stragglers re- mained, I was not fearful of danger. I regretted that he had not brought Mrs. Hodgson and family with him, to- gether with the whole of our luggage, as he would be under the necessity of leaving us again to go for them. If the question be asked, Whence came these hosts of marauders ? and what was the occasion of their rise and of the devastations they committed ? it is not easy to give a definite answer, from the fact that amongst these bar- 74 FOUNDING OP THE BECHUANA MISSION. barous people tliere were no records from which information could be obtained. Once, in a conversation with onr Chief, Siffonello, and a few others of his principal men, I asked the questions, " Who are these enemies ? and whence came they ? " Siffonello entered upon the naiTation in an animated manner ; but he was too rapid and vehement in his utter- ances for me, with my imperfect knowledge of the language, to understand him : however, I gathered this, that the principal disturbers of the country were called Mataheli, that they were numerous, powerful, and ferocious. I did not at that time know that this dreadful people were the Zidu-Kaffi,rs, and what the Half-castes and Griquas called Bloet, or Nahed, Kaffirs ; but I learnt this afterwards, and that one of their savage and cruel Chiefs was named Chaka, who, on one occasion, being disturbed by the noise of some children when he desired to sleep, had a number of them — it was reported about thii'ty — killed. He was slain by his brother Dingaan, who succeeded him as Chief, and also imitated his ferocity ; for it was by his treachery and cruelty that a number of the emigrant Boers and their families were massacred in the district of Natal, which was separated from the Bechuana country by the range of mountains called Malutis, — by the Kaffirs, Quathlamba. From the same region and people also came the tyrant Mosilikatse, who has been a terror and a scourge to the inhabitants of the whole country for hundreds of miles around. He attacked and pursued a chief called Pakaliti, the remnant of whose tribe, called Fingoes, sought refuge in Kaffraria. Then both these invaded and terribly ravaged the country of the Mantatees, who, in turn, fell upon the Bataus, Barolongs, and Batlapees. They were repulsed by the fire-arms and horses of the Griquas, near Latakoo, and multitudes perished from stai-vation ; so that, partly from this cause, and partly from the number slain in battle, the land was strewn with human bones. There was only a short pause, after the battle at Latakoo, before the Bataus, under Milistani, their Chief, made a CHAPTER VIII. 75 fearful onslauglit on the Barolongs under Siffonello. But more of this afterwards. With regard to the question, "What prompted them to these wars ? it may be answered, In the first place, it seems to have been a restless and ambitious disposition ; lust of cattle, in which their wealth consisted, and of dominion over every one whom a Chief thought his rival : afterwards^ it was sheer hunger ; for when a tribe was overcome, they ■were despoiled of their cattle, and thereby of their means of subsistence. These remnants of ruined tribes united to plunder the cattle of other tribes, and thus might prevailed over right, the weak fell before the more powerful, and there was no rest or security in the land : beautiful and fertile regions became depopulated. In travelling through the country we often arrived at towns and cattle-folds desti- tute of man or beast. One fact I have obsei*ved, that one cruel tyrant after another, and one warlike tribe after another, have slain and been slain. Those who shed man's blood, by man was their blood shed, illustrating the saying of Christ : " For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." It was when the people were thus disquieted and wasted that the ministers of peace entered upon their work. God in mercy sent them, or the people would have been exterminated. The Missionaries of the London Missionary Society were first in the field, among the Batlapees, in the northern part of the Bechuana country. Then followed the Wesleyans, among the Barolongs; and very shortly afterwards the Paris Protestant Society, among the Basutos, under the powerful Chief, Moshesh. To return to the narrative. My colleague, seeing our safety, prepared to go back to Griqua Town for his wife, family, and goods. Siffonello wished his son Moroko to accompany him. Mr. Hodgson was averse to this proposal on several accounts. However, as Siffonello urged it, on 76 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. the ground that lie desired liis son to obtain a knowledge of other people and places, Mr, Hodgson at length con- sented. This incident is worth noticing, as showing the confidence which the Barolong Chief and his son had in us at that time ; accordingly, Moroko and a staff of attendants accompanied the Missionary to Griqua Town. Thus we were again left alone with the natives, and no doubt many straggling foes around us. Nothing deserving particular notice occurred for some time. I was adding words of Sichuana to my vocabulary, and had fi'eqvient intercourse with the people and their Chiefs. On one even- ing, however, our responsible herdsman, Rampe-Sampe, 'who had joined us when entering the country, before we saw Siffonello, and had been a faithful and well-behaved servant throughout, did not return, as was usual, with his charge to their fold for the night. On search being made the following day, his body was found dead, horribly muti- lated ; and it appeared by the broken spears that lay about the place, that he must, for some time at least, have defended himself. No doubt could remain on our minds that some of the enemies before mentioned had perpetrated this deed of murder, and driven away our cattle. Siffonello, on being informed of the case, promptly called a number of armed men together, to go in pursuit. They assembled on our place. Siffonello expressed a wish that I would join them, and, in some respects, it seemed reason- able that I should do so, as the cattle belonged to us. But not having physical strength to walk or run with such men, besides the impolicy of leaving my family, and my disincli- nation to be mixed up with war, even to recover my own property, I declined. Whereupon they also disbanded, and, as the day w^as far spent, went to their own homes ; but with orders to assemble again in the morning, with all needful prepai-ations for the pursuit. During the night a dense fog came on, so that when the morning dawned it was not possible to discern any object that was only a few jards distant. The people, however, assembled, prepai-ed, CHAPTER VIII. 77 according to tlie order given them, for tlie expedition ; but as the fog did not clear away, after waiting a great part of the forenoon, they were again dismissed. Providence, as on many other critical occasions, interposed on our behalf; for the thick fog which covered the land, and prevented the warriors from starting, had also favoured the escape of our cattle from their captors. As several of the cows had calves, which were kept at home, they, prompted instinct- ively, perhaps during the night, while the robbers slept, had found the means of getting from them. The oxen had followed the cows ; and while we were yet in suspense what course to adopt, we heard them lowing aloud, the calves responded, and they were soon together. I was very thankful for their return ; and the more so that no blood had been shed in the attempt to recover them, as most probably would have been the case if our people had gone after them. 78 CHAPTER IX. Mr. Hodgson and Moroko return — Incidents of their Journey — Man lost in the Mud while drinking — Loss of Oxen by Lions — Extract from the Memoirs of Mrs. Hodgson — Circumstances of the Station — Mission Work — Spiritual Darkness of the Barolongs — Examples — Submission to the Authority of God's Word — On the Subject of human Life— On Marriage — On the Lord's Day. On September 24tli, Mr. Hodgson returned to Maquassi witli his family, l3ringing with him an excellent and valu- able man, Peter Links, who had come from Khamies Berg, in Namacqiialand, and joined him at Griqua Town. Peter was one of the converted Half-castes who was designed to act as a native agent among the Koranas, for which he was well qualified by his piety, prudence, Christian zeal, and knowledge of their language. Their return was much sooner than I expected. This arose from their having discovered the shortest route, and from having no enemy to obstruct them on their journey. They had also hastened as much as they could in order to put a termination to our state of suspense and anxiety: .and right thankful and glad we were to enjoy once more the comfort of their society ; but most so for the cherished hope of prosecuting our Mission work without further interruption. Our late cattle-watcher, Rampe-Sampe, had won the esteem of Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, and they heard of his untimely end with deep regret. Two or three incidents which occurred on the journey of Mr. Hodgson's party from Griqualand deserve notice. One day, as they were getting ready to leave the place where they had passed the preceding night, one of Moroko's men, who had gone to the river to di'ink, did not join them CHAPTER IX. 79 ■wlien called ; some of them went to see wliat iimdei*ed him, when they found that the poor fellow, in stooping to drink at the river, had sunk with his hands and knees into the soft mud, until he was unable to lift his face from the water, and was suffocated. This event, however, was no occasion of grief to his companions. On the contrary, with their characteristic indifference to human life, it was the subject of merriment and laughter during the remain- der of the journey, and afterwards. Those who had seen the position of the deceased would make representations of it in a ludicrous manner to the amusement of others ! During the same journey which supplied this instance of inhuman apathy, there was furnished a touching illus- tration of the strength of motherly love among beasts. My wagon-driver, seeing some giraffes, went and shot a young one. Though the others fled, yet its dam followed the wagons three days, out of gun range. The flesh of this young one was like veal. When only a few days from our Station, as the wagons were being drawn to the lee-side of a thicket for shelter from the wind, the party intending to rest there for the night ; the team of the first wagon was led by Eratsagai. A lion, having suffered him to pass, sprang upon the oxen he was leading. The whole team instantly turned round, upset the wagon, and galloped away as fast as they could, leaving behind them one piece after another of the wagon and its contents strewed over a space of some miles. The other wagon, containing Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson and their family, being at the time behind, they witnessed the scene, and theii' team was startled; but the driver dexterously turned them aside so as to prevent his wagon being upset. As soon as these oxen were quieted, the people that could be spared set off after the first team ; but darkness coming on, they were obliged to return with some of the oxen, leaving the broken wagon and goods scattered over the country. Four of the team were irrecoverably lost, no doubt devoured by the lions. 80 FOUNDING OF THE BECHUANA MISSION. Next morning the people collected the parts of the broken wagon, and what it had contained. A leathern sack of wheat had been torn and dragged by a hysena during the night. It was tracked by the wheat strewn on the gi-ound for the space of about a couple of miles. The people gathered as much as they could, and put the broken wagon together, and so resumed their journey, minus four oxen, and a great part of the wheat, which had been procured in Griqualand, and intended for my family use. Mr. Hodgson had hired at Griqua Town a Bechuana woman who could speak the Dutch language, hoping that she might be of some service to us in the acquisition of the Sichuana ; but she was very ignorant, conceited, and of a capricious temper, so that we derived very little advantage from her. The following extract from the Memoirs of Mrs. Hodgson, since published, refers to this period, and may be properly introduced in this place. September 24th, 1823. — "We reached Maquassi, and were glad at the prospect of sitting down to our regular missionary work, which had been interrupted by so many mysterious and distressing circumstances. From this time we proceeded steadily in our Mission, both as to the neces- sary external arrangements, and in our endeavours to promote the spiritual benefit of the people." . The external arrangements referred to, were the com- pletion of our dwelling-houses, cattle-folds, and the culti- vation of our gardens. The remains of the wheat which Mr. Hodgson had brought were ground by a handmill ; but we had been so long a time without bread that when we began to eat it again, it seemed too rich for us, and, for a time, disagreed with us. It was no small luxury to eat a few vegetables from our gardens, along with the animal food, on which alone we had subsisted so long. Om' work was yet restricted chiefly to our own families, and hired servants, who spoke the Dutch language ; for though I continued to give all my time and attention to CHAPTER IX. 81 the acquisition of Sicliuana, as far as my state of health, would admit, and could converse with them on secular and common topics, I was not able to teach them the subjects of Divine revelation. Their own gross ignorance of spiritual subjects was one cause of difficulty. Take the following examples. Having at length written a version of the Lord's Prayer in their tongue, I one day read it to a company of the more intelligent of the natives. Having done this, I requested them to repeat it after me, as I read, sentence by sentence, with which they complied. Having repeated the first sentence, " Hara a chona ye le mo gudeemo/' " Our Father who art above," I asked, " Who is this Father above ? " None could answer. No one knew. I then addressed one of the party, who had been some time in our employ, and had occasionally observed our worship conducted in Dutch. I said, " Boboque, don't you know to whom we speak in these words ? " He replied, " No, I do not know ; I have no Father above." I paused a moment, feeling the difficulty of gaining access to their dark minds ; for, unlike most other heathen people, they had literally no God ; and, having had no intercourse with the colony, they had no knowledge of God. I then said to them, " But you know we exist ; your cattle exist ; and the world exists : there must have been a beginning and a cause. Who was the first ? " Several together answered, " Madeemo," giving a soft sound to the d, somewhat between that consonant and r. I replied, " Well, that is our heavenly Father whom we address in these words." But they had no idea of a spiritual, invisible, and infinite Being, or that He took any cognizance of us. Their Chief, Siffonello, had given us many proofs of his intelligence ; but on spiritual subjects he was as dark as his people; for, after hearing from us numerous references to God, as Creator, Sovereign, &c., he asked, " When will you teach us ? " I replied, " As soon as we are able to speak Sichu- ana," He then asked, " Where is God ? How big is He ? " Putting his hand to his head, he asked, " Has He hair ? G 82 FOUNDING OF THE BECHTJANA MISSION. Have you seen Him ? " This Chief was in the prime of life, shrewd and courageous, and had great influence in the country, both as political Chief and professed rain-maker. Next to him in authority and influence was his brother, Sabbedere, commander of his warriors. Finding that there existed among them a vague idea of an evil being, as well as Modeemo, the Creator, I questioned Sabbedere very closely on this subject one day, in order to elicit what they knew, or thought, about him. The substance of Sabbedere's reply was : *' We do not know who or what he is, but we suppose it is he who sends lightning and thunder to frighten and kill us." Though they had never seen or heard of a book before we went among them, yet when we showed the Bible, and said it was the word of Modeemo, we were often surprised and gratified by the deference they paid to what God said. "For instance : the Chief's power over the personal freedom, or even the life, of his subjects was not questioned, and summary executions now and then took place by stabbing or drowning. Thus, a man who had been cognizant of some movement of Mantatees, and had not given satisfac- tion by his conduct, was speared through the body by Sabbedere. A poor woman, who had stolen a sheep or goat, was drowned in the river. It was on these points that we came, for the first time, into collision with Siffonello, and witnessed a display of rage that placed our lives in jeopardy for several days. It was as follows : A strange youth had stolen a kid from our fold, gone into a hill, and, concealed by shrubs and trees, was found cooking and eating pp.rts of it. The boy was apprehended, and the skin of the kid brought to us; we not only missed the kid, but at once recognised the skin. "With this indisputable evidence of the youth's guilt, Siffonello gave orders that he should be put. to death, and that two sons of the Chief, about thirteen or fourteen years of age, who had been recently circumcised, (boguera,) and allowed to carry arms as men, were to .execute the sentence of their father by throwing sx^ears at CHAPTER IX. 83 the culprit from a certain distance; Siffonello remarking that now these sons of his, being men, mnst learn t we halted and unyoked, taking care to drive our cattle for pasturage in the opposite direction to the lions. Here we prepared and ate our dinner ; the lions slowly moving to a greater distance, occasionally rising on their hind legs, playing with each other like dogs. Here we rested two or three hours, then yoked our oxen again, and travelled until evening. On the next day we discovered, at the pool of water near us, the fresh foot-prints of lions and other animals. During the day we arrived at the Yaal river, and found a Koranna village, where we purchased two sheep and milk ; and about eight o'clock in the evening arrived at Moos, where Mr. Edwards and his jDCople had built a stone house, within which we were accommodated with comfoi'table lodging. Here we again met our old friend Chudeep, and were glad to find that he was giving earnest heed to the things that were spoken by the Missionary, and evidently growing in the knowledge of Scripture facts and doctrines. Sunday, May 3rd, 1824, was spent at Moos. Mr. Edwards conducted public worship with the Korannas in the open air. Our families assembled in the evening in Mr. Edwards's house. From my extreme debility I was not able to inspect the locality, as a site for a Mission station, so thoroughly as I wished. There appeared, however, to be abundance of good water, and rich pasturage, and the position seemed CHAPTER XIV. 125 suitable as a midway station between Campbell and Maquassi, and as having many villages of the Korannas within a manageable distance. The Yaal river flowing past, not far from the house, I went down to the bank, when I saw a female hippopota- mus walking against the stream in the bottom of the river, followed by a young one, as sometimes we see a calf follow the cow. I find the following entry in my journal under this date: — " We have had much rain, and I think I have caught cold; or else the jolting of the wagon over tufts of grass roots and stones has aggravated my complaint ; for I am very ill and feeble. Be Thou, O Lord, my support and comfort ! " Friday, 14th. — Ai-rived at Campbell ; the preceding evening I lay on the ground, as if life was ebbing out. I read with unwonted interest some portions of the Book of Job, and felt I could sympathize with him in his afflictions in a degree I had not previously done, and prayed that like him I might be able to exclaim, " Though He slay me, I will trust in Him ; " as I could say, " I know that my Redeemer liveth." "We found the Rev. Mr. Sass and family had removed to Griqua Town ; so we remained here only during the heat of the day, and, feeling somewhat revived, went on in the evening to Links' Fountain. 15th. — Arrived at Griqua Town, where we met with the Rev. Messrs. Robert Moffatt, Sass, Helm, and Hughes, and their wives ; also Mr. Melville, Government Resident, and family. From these brethren I received much Christian sympathy and brotherly kindness. Our tried friends, Mr. and Mrs. Helm, gave us an apartment in their dwelling- house, and did what was in their power to alleviate my affliction. I have before mentioned having perused the Book of Job, on the way from Maquassi : it was only a small portion that I could read at a time ; but I meditated the more upon 126 FOUNDING OP THE BECHUANA MISSION. its contents on tL.at account ; and for tlie instruction an