WAGONS ATTACKED.-A HEATHENISH SPECTACLE. to the crows, when he made a run first at one of us, and then at another. One of the men, in order to frighten him, fired a ball directly over his head, when he fell, and the horsemen rushed forward to seize him before he rose; but he was too expert, and made us quickly turn away in no little confusion; and had it not been for the fear of losing his spear, it would certainly have been plunged into one of our number. It was now becoming too dark to make any further attempts, and we let him go, and turned in the direction of the wagons, which were about seven miles distant. We had not proceeded many paces, when we were alarmed to find that we were surrounded by those who we supposed had fled, but who had secreted themselves among the bushes, and, aided by the darkness, were closing in upon our small party. Head after head rose above the bushes, when the yell commenced. This was a critical moment; and the men who were with me behaved admirably; for, instead of levelling some, in order to obtain egress, a few shots were fired into the sand before the horses' heads, when we galloped through what appeared the weakest part; but many were the javelins which they threw. This was a narrow escape; for if a horse had fallen, which is common in the dark, amidst bushes, sticks, and stones, he and his rider would have been instantly covered with spears. The enemy were again pursued with some blank shots, when, hastening back to the wagons, we were alarmed by the reports of muskets, which convinced us that they had been attacked by the enemy. It was with some difficulty we joined our companions, owing to a party hovering round, who, in the dusk of the evening, had rushed out of the reeds in the river, and driven the men who were left from the wagons, which they struck with their war-axes, as if they were living things. They thrust their hands into the boiling pots on the fire, and seized the meat. Not seeing the main body, part of which we had been pursuing, make its appearance, according to their plan, they retired, but not before one was wounded, if not more. The night was a sleepless one; and before day dawned, messengers arrived from the town, soliciting the Griquas, with the most earnest entreaties, to return, as an immediate attack was expected, and the knowledge of horsemen being there might alarm the invaders, and save the town. To this Berend would not have agreed, but for the sake of some of our party, who were yet behind, and who it was justly feared might fall into the hands of the enemy. In the morning, of six Barolong spies who had been sent out, two only returned, the others having been killed. In the evening some thousand warriors left the town, accompanied by seven or eight horsemen, with the confident hope that the enemy would flee when they made their appearance. They had not proceeded three miles from the town, before they saw the whole body moving onward, with lighted torches. Both parties halted at no great distance from each other. When morning dawned they looked one another in the face, and the enemy, instead of being intimidated, rushed, like a mighty black wave, upon the Barolongs, who fled. Sebonello's party, who were of a bolder character, resisted for some minutes, during which time seventeen of his men fell, among whom were his three brothers. The horsemen, seeing that they 109 were not to be frightened by appearances, and that the loss of life would be terrible, fired a few shots among the enemy, which arrested their progress. They fled from the horsemen; but seeing a large party of Barolongs attempting to take their cattle, they surrounded them, and would have cut down the last man, had they not been again dispersed by the horsemen, when they appeared panic-stricken, and fled. The Barolongs rallied, not to fight, but to seize the cattle, with which they decamped. Of these some hundreds were recovered by the Griquas, who took them, and some women who had also fallen into the hands of the Barolongs, and conducted them to within a few gun-shots of the enemy, who stood petrified with amazement to see their conquerors bringing back, not only a large number of their cattle, but their wives and children. The horsemen did not, however, forget to send a very fearful message by the women, which induced the marauders to make the best of their way out of sight. While all this was going on, Berend, his brother Nicholas, and myself, with the wagon-drivers, were waiting with intense anxiety, seeing the wounded, the bleeding, and the dying, fleeing past the town, while the inhabitants were making their escape in consternation. We had a picture of heathenism indeed in the men who had remained in the town, to guard it in case of an attack from the opposite quarter, scampering off with their shields and spears, leaving the women to escape in the best way they could, with large bundles and their young children on their backs. When we saw the town evacuated, we sent off our wagons also; while Nicholas and I remained behind with our horses, to wait the result, and learn what had become of our men, for whose safety we were extremely anxious. As soon as we ascertained that they were safe, and that the enemy had fled, I rode forward, to apprize the terrified multitude that the danger was over. It was affecting to see, all along the course of their flight, utensils, mantles, victuals, and many little children, who had been left by their affrighted mothers, who expected that all was over. Instead of believing what I said, when I called after them that the enemy had fled, and that they must not leave their babes to perish with the cold, or be devoured by hyenas, they only fled the faster, till, at length, I got some one to assist me in driving a number back to take up their children. Poor things, they did not forget afterwards to shed many grateful tears, for my having frightened them back to save their weeping infants. When most of the inhabitants had congregated round our wagons, near the river, where we were first attacked, it was affecting to see the different families meet again. Considering their situation, they were wonderfully cheerful; but there were bleeding hearts; and it was a melting scene to witness the return of Sebonello, and especially when he exclaimed, "Of all my friends, I only am left!" We assembled our company in the evening, recorded the mercies of the day, and felt devoutly thankful for the deliverance that had been granted. Touane, Gontse, Sebonello, and other chiefs came to Berend, and, in the most feeling manner, thanked him for his assistance. They said they felt this the more, as they had learned from the prisoner who 110 CHRISTIAN CONDUCT.-AFFAIRS OF THE STATION. escaped that it was the determination of the enemy | turn at the same time; for when I asked Berend to attack the town on both sides, set it on fire, and then destroy all the people, if they could. Before separating, some trifling European articles were brought, which had been picked up on the field of battle. These were once the property of Mr. Broadbent, and had been taken from his station when the enemy attacked Sebonello. Some of our men had seen several of the warriors with pieces of linen tied round their legs, and remarked that one of the slain appeared as if his legs were burned, and bound up with a piece of a shawl. This was explained by the man who had been a prisoner. Among the articles they had seized was a bag containing several pounds of gunpowder; when seated around their different fires, this bag was brought out to examine its contents, supposing them medicine, or something to be eaten. One tasted, another smelled, a third said, "Put it into the hot ashes; it is seed, and needs roasting." In went the bag, when presently a fearful explosion took place, which threw them all on their backs, scattering the live coals in all directions. As soon as they recovered their senses, they started up, and fled from the spot, some exclaiming, "More oa sethunye," It is the exploder's medicine, i. e., gunpowder. why he had given up his intended hunt, he could give no reason except the feeling that he did not like my going home alone. And on our arrival at the Barolongs, when in the prospect of his remaining to defend the town, I proposed leaving him, to proceed, he replied, "No, let us go together," and on that same night we were attacked. He more than once remarked how unaccountably his mind had been impressed on that occasion, and could not but see the finger of God in the whole affair. But for this I should have been surrounded in the wilderness by a host of people, such as have been described, against whom resistance, supposing it had been attempted, would have proved of no avail, and under such circumstances escape or safety would have been impossible. On the following morning an event occurred worthy of record. Some of Berend's people had brought droves of fine fat cattle belonging to the enemy, which they had taken from the Barolongs, who, instead of fighting, had seized the animals, and fled. According to established right, they were the property of Berend and his people, and every one supposed they would be claimed by him. These cattle, amounting to several hundreds, were collected, and Touane and Sebonello were called, many of them having been taken by the enemy from the latter. Berend said to them," These cattle I give up to you; divide them among you. One or two for my people to slaughter on the road are all that I require." Sebonello received this most disinter- It may not be uninteresting briefly to glance at ested kindness with lively feelings of heartfelt what had been going on at the station during my gratitude, for he and his people were entirely desti- absence, where serious apprehensions had been entute. This was an act which astonished the multi-tertained for its safety. All being tranquil when I tude of spectators; many held their hand on their | left, Mr. Hamilton had proceeded with the three mouths, to signify their utter amazement. Hottentots to the new station, to make preparations for a final removal. Mrs. M. was left alone on the old place in one house, and a young Hottentot woman in another. About this period a party of marauders, composed of Bastards and others, from the Orange River, collected in the Long Mountains, about forty miles to the west of the station, attacked some villages along the Kuruman River, and were contemplating a junction with others in order to attack the Batlapis and the mission premises. This created considerable uneasiness; but as reports of that kind were often dubious, Mrs. M. remained, though not without some alarm, knowing their desperate character, and fearing that they might be tempted to attack the mission-house for the sake of ammunition which might be there. One evening the Hottentot girl came in wringing her hands, and, in great distress, stated that the Bakari or Mantatees had been seen at Nokaneng, and were on their way to the Kuruman. This was alarming indeed to one who, with two babes, had only two little Bushmen children with her in the house, and no means of escape but fleeing to the bushes. A message was sent to Mothibi, who said that the news of the approach of such an enemy was correct, but that he thought there was no very great danger before next morning. Mrs. M., after again commending herself and little ones to the care of Divine Providence, laid down in confidence, and fell asleep. At midnight a loud rap at the door awoke her; when, from the reports on the preceding evening, she was at a loss to think whether it was a rap of Jacob Cloete, the Griqua marauder, or the announcement of the near approach of the horde from the interior. On asking who was at the door, Mothibi replied himself. When it was opened, he entered with as many men as the house could hold, and announced the dreaded intelligence that the Mantatees were approaching. The sound of alarm and uproar was raised in every part of the town. A light being obtained, Mrs. M. seated herself in the midst of the noisy council, heard all they had to communicate, and wrote to Mr. Hamilton. There was now universal confusion till day dawned, which has always some effect in raising the spirits, however dejected. Mr. Hamilton and the people arrived at eight We thankfully retired from the melancholy scenes which had occupied our attention for successive days, and bent our course to our respective homes. My arrival at the station was, indeed, like life from the dead. The deepest anxiety had been felt for weeks for the safety of myself and companions, as it was well known that the hunters intended remaining in the interior for the purpose of shooting elephants, while I was to return comparatively alone, which greatly increased the danger. They had been fully and correctly informed that the body of marauders which we met had come from the Yellow River, as far as Nokaneng, about twenty miles east of Old Lithako, and that they had proceeded to the Barolongs, in the direction, and at the very time of my contemplated return. To them our destruction appeared inevitable, and it was beyond their power either to render assistance, or to give warning. There is reason to believe that their fears would have been mournfully realized, but for the unexpected circumstance of Berend and his party resolving, without any definite reason, to re their course to the Barolongs, instead of coming to CHAPTER XXV. the Kuruman. This news dispelled the gloomy State of the public mind-A civil war-Infatuation-Confer cloud, and filled every heart with gladness; but the intelligence, which made the populace give their fears to the winds, produced in Mrs. M. a shock of horror, as the conviction instantly flashed across her mind, that nothing less than a divine interposition could save me from destruction, it being the time I was expected to be on my return. The moment she stated the cause of her fears, all saw the danger, and sympathized, but no one could be induced to go in search. The idea of falling in with such a horde of savages was horrible in the extreme. For three weeks my dear wife was thus exposed to a state of mental agony more easily conceived than described; and nothing but incessant approaches to the throne of God could have supported her. During that period continual reports were brought that I had been cut off. One had seen a piece of my wagon; another had found a part of my saddle; and some had picked up parts of my linen stained with blood; till, at last, a few men were prevailed on to go and ascertain the facts, and had started on the morning of the very day I made my appearance. The preceding details will show what real cause there was for alarm, for the exercise of faith, fervent prayer, and, subsequently, for boundless praise. ence with Mothibi-Attack of the marauders-Leave the station-Universal commotion-Death of Peclu, the young prince The Kuatse disease-Cruel superstition-Revenge sought-Renewed attacks-Mr. Hughes's illness-Discouraging prospects-Ungenerous conduct-A chief eaten by a lion-Fresh alarms-Locusts-Description of them-How prepared for use-Young locusts most destructive - Calf stealers-Remarkable case. THE events which have been recorded may, in the judgment of some of my readers, seem irrelevant to the subject of missions, except so far as they illustrate the native character, and depict the situation into which the missionary is frequently brought, in the course of his philanthropic career, in countries where our species has sunk into the lowest depths of barbarism and vice. In glancing over missionary records of bygone years, it will be seen that this is neither a new nor a peculiar aspect of the position which Providence sometimes calls him to occupy. It may also be presumed that no one would be ambitious of such a distinction; while all may see how perplexing, distressing, and sometimes heartrending his situation must be, and the need he has of the wisdom which cometh down from above, which he feels more especially when there are none with whom he can confer. It is then that the throne of his heavenly Father is found to be a refuge that never fails; and it is in such seasons that 112 CIVIL WAR.-CONFERENCE WITH MOTHIBI. he experiences the fulfilment of the promise, "Lo, I am with you alway;" for surely in such exigencies human prudence would often prove utterly insufficient. After my return, Mr. Hamilton continued his labours at the new station, assisted by Mr. Hughes, who had arrived from Griqua Town a short time before, while I remained to carry on the services among the Bechuanas. The attack of the rebel Griquas on the Batlaros proved only a precursor of a succession of distressing and afflictive providences among that people, which had well nigh led to the destruction of the mission. These circumstances kept the public mind in a state of ferment, each division and tribe being distrustful of another. Attendance on divine worship was extremely irregular, which Mothibi accounted for by saying that, when an enemy came from the interior, they had neither horses nor guns, and there was some chance of escape; but when Griquas and Corannas came, who could obtain these means of destruction from the white people, the hearts of the Bechuanas could think of nothing but the calamities which awaited them. in their political affairs, except when we thought we could be the means of promoting peace, and preventing the effusion of blood. Thus far, as the servants of God, we could proceed, but no further. I again entreated him, for the sake of his people, their wives and little ones, not to take a step which was fraught with consequences of an appalling nature, and which would terminate in the suspension of our labours among them, and their being scattered like the hunted deer on the plains. We appealed to all present whether our counsel, as the servants of Christ, had in any one instance failed to secure to them the blessings of peace; and concluded by recommending them rather to flee towards Griqua Town than enter upon civil war. To this Mothibi replied, with an air of scorn, that the Griquas, who were nurtured under the gospel, were involved in war; that the heads of the banditti they dreaded were Griquas, and subjects of the Griqua government; and that the Batlaros were his subjects, and they despised his threatenings on the ground that the missionaries would prevent him from taking harsh measures; but that he was determined to make them feel. After making some exceedingly severe remarks on our conduct, for our not first reforming the Griquas, and especially Jacob Cloete and Klass Drayer, the heads of the marauders, and once professors of religion, he went away in a rage. if he would allow me first to remove my family to the brethren at our new station, which would require two or three days. I also recommended an embassy, and not an armed force, as I was too well acquainted with the Bechuana character to expect that they would conduct themselves in a way calculated to win the affections of the justly offended Batlaros, who, to revenge their wrongs, would undoubtedly call in the assistance of the horde from the mountains. Hitherto, by the providence of God, it had been our lot only to view the dire effects of war at a distance from our station, which induced us to hope that the escape of our people would have a salutary influence on their minds. But dark and intricate are the ways of Providence; for our hopes were Next morning he returned, with some chief men, soon blasted by a civil war, which acquired such and, having had time to reflect on the counsel given magnitude as to oblige us speedily to abandon the him, was as meek as possible, and begged that, as I station, and retire to Griqua Town, which could thought I could prevent a battle, I would accomscarcely be considered an asylum, from the conflict-pany him to the Batlaros. This I engaged to do, ing parties who surrounded us. The Batlapis professed to assist the Batlaros against the lawless banditti, whose rendezvous was in the Long Mountains, to the west; but instead of doing so, only seized on their cattle. This act of treachery excited the indignation of the Batlaros: they made reprisals; and, as in all such cases, bloodshed followed rapine. A public meeting was convened, to which the Batlaro chiefs were invited, when every exertion was made to bring the parties to an amicable agreement, and prevent the widening of the breach. At the request of both parties I spoke at the meeting. My address was only a short speech on the blessings of peace, and the certain fearful results of a civil war, especially while a lion, fiercer than either party, was couching in the mountains, ready to pounce on them both. Mothibi had neither the wisdom, honesty, nor decision to order his people to resign their ill-gotten spoil, while he and his friends people were candid enough to acknowledge that they had brought themselves into the distressing dilemma. The Batlaros returned, mortified, and held up Mothibi to derision in their dance and song; and he again resolved to muster his warriors, and punish them for these puerile displays of ill-will. When Mothibi communicated his intention, I pleaded, reasoned, and remonstrated against the measure, as fraught with ruin. As he wished one or more of our men to accompany him, I consulted the brethren, Hamilton and Hughes, and replied, that it was our conviction that evil, instead of good, would accrue from such a measure. All knew that hitherto we had kept ourselves from all interference The commando, thirsting for spoil, set off the next day, leaving Mothibi behind. The result of this was the devastation of the towns and villages of the Batlaros, who fled at their approach. The temporary house at the new station being ready, I removed my family thither. Two days after, when Mr. Hamilton and myself were down at the town, to bring away some useful articles, we stopped the night; and as the country was full of alarming reports, Mothibi and some of his men came and spent the evening with us, in one of our old reed houses, around a fire on a clay floor, without either tables or chairs. Much conversation and dispute ensued as to the cause of the present distracted state of the country, and the best means to be adopted to avoid becoming involved in the threatened ruin. Mothibi again asserted, in his usual angry tone, that the heads of the banditti of the country were Griquas, and that they were our friends and servants, whom we could command, and with whom we had constant intercourse; moreover, that these Griquas were supplied with guns and ammunition by the colonists, for the purpose of extirpating the Bechuanas! We explained the relation in which ATTACK OF THE MARAUDERS.-UNUSUAL COMMOTION. we, as well as the people of Griqua Town, stood to the rebels in the mountains; and that they might yet see that we were as much afraid of those he called our friends as he was; and again solemnly brought before him the indifference of the Bechuanas, and even their hatred, to the gospel of Christ, as a fact which gave us very little reason to hope for that deliverance which had been so singularly displayed on their behalf on former occasions. After holding our evening worship, we begged, in case of approaching danger, that they would flee in the direction of our station, as it might prove an asylum, especially to the females and children. At this they scoffed and raged, telling us to go and convert the Griquas; and thus left us, not knowing whether the enemy might approach before morning, or if the natives, in their anger, might not set fire to our reed dwelling. The day after our return home we heard the reports of muskets, and, from the immense columns of smoke arising, we were convinced that many of the towns and villages were on fire. We continued some hours in sad suspense, during which the women and children were passing to the east; but some, faint from exhaustion and terror, remained at our dwellings, while the more vigorous of the sex were pressing forward with trembling steps in all directions. Mothibi also came, dejected and forlorn, and related, with many a sigh, the melancholy events of the day. At his urgent request we sent our four men on horseback, hoping that they might be able to deliver a message to the heads of the commando, and thereby prevent further devastation. They went, and were instantly surrounded by thirty horsemen, and one had his hat shot off his head, which compelled them to make a precipitate retreat, while several of the Bechuanas who accompanied them were killed. Our situation became ten times more precarious than ever, having now discovered that their numbers were formidable, and that they had butchered hundreds in cold blood, and committed acts of horrid barbarity in cutting off the hands of the women in order the more easily to remove from | their arms the rings which they wore. Some prisoners who had escaped gave us, moreover, every reason to expect that they would attack our station with the hope of obtaining ammunition. Though this was a hackneyed threat, the appearance of our men, and their ignorance of our motives for allow ing them to go, did not leave the shadow of a doubt on our minds that our situation was a dangerous one, particularly as all the nations were fleeing, and we could expect little quarter from the heterogeneous mass of Griquas, Bastards from the colony, Namaquas, Corannas, Bushmen, and Batlaros, which composed the banditti. After much deliberation and prayer for divine guidance, we felt, however reluctant, we ought to pack up during the night the most useful of our goods, that Mr. Hughes and myself, with our families, should leave on the coming morning; while Mr. Hamilton, who was without family, and one man, should remain, with a couple of horses, in case of danger, till wagons should be sent to his assistance from Daniel's Kuil. To us the sabbath was not a day of rest; but though we hung our harps upon the willows, we were enabled to wrestle with God in prayer for the 113 poor Bechuanas, who appeared to be given over to infatuation, and thousands of whom were scattered on the lonely desert, pinched with hunger, and threatened with misery, famine, and death. Many females, lame with walking, and some near the time of their confinement, had sought refuge in our houses, while others had sunk under accumulated toil. It was deeply affecting to look on such objects of pity, while we could render them little assistance. After five cheerless days we reached Griqua Town, where Mr. Sass received us with much feeling, having provided houses for our accommodation, and sent wagons and oxen to our assistance. Meanwhile Mr. Hamilton was joined by a party of Berend's men from Daniel's Kuil, who remained for upwards of a fortnight. On the alarm and apprehensions of the people subsiding, Mr. H. came to Griqua Town to inform us that all was quiet, and that the Bechuanas were anxious for our return. Though a temporary tranquillity existed at the Kuruman, the prospect before us was dark in the extreme; and as in case of another attack, it was found impossible, from the state of affairs among the Griquas, to expect help from that quarter, we thought it better not to return with our goods to the station. The interior tribes were, according to the most authentic information, all in commotion, deluging the country with blood, appearing to depend for their support on the destruction of others. The powerful and hitherto invincible Bauangketsi were dispersed by a combined force, and Makaba had been slain in the midst of heaps of warriors. In the south-east, the Batau and Legoyas were proceeding in the same destructive course. The Wesleyan mission at Makuase was also broken up, and the missionaries retired to the colony. Such commotions were unknown within the memory of the oldest native. Tradition could give us no parallel. They existed as far northward as our knowledge of the tribes extended. It now appeared the more evident that, had not the Mantatees been defeated at Old Lithako, the Bechuana country, Griqua Land, and the Orange River would have been swept of their inhabitants; the savage conquerors would have been formidable enemies to the colony, and in all probability would have fallen by thousands before the sweeping bomb or rocket; while the scattered remains of the aborigines must either have perished in the deserts, or fallen under the iron yoke of their neighbours. Many tribes, once powerful and prosperous, but now almost extinct, lend their testimony to the truth of these remarks, and from which we gathered this comfort, that, bad as our circumstances were, they might have been worse; and thus, though troubled on every side, we were not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair. In the following month I returned with my family to join Mr. Hamilton, when the prospect of not being able to obtain anything like grain or vegetables, rendered it necessary for Mr. Hughes to visit the colony for that purpose. The Bechuanas had still considerable quantities of native millet, which they were expecting to reap, but which was greatly injured by two dreadful storms of hail passing over a portion of their gardens. Such was the noise of the hail that, though there I |