A DREADFUL SITUATION.-A MASSACRE. which even those inured to savage life must shudder. Greater numbers of Bushmen appeared, assailing the wagon on all sides; and the moment the father fired his gun, all directed their arrows at the only individual capable of resistance, and to whom the agonized mothers and children could look for help. They looked in vain; severely wounded, he staggered to the wagon, while the Bushmen seized the oxen, and drove them off, with the shout of victory. The wounds were fatal, recollection failed, the words died away on the weeping widow's ear, and in the course of an hour Bergover ceased to breathe. Here they were, far from human aid-three women and thirteen help less children, their only friend and defender being a ghastly corpse. The axle-tree of their wagon was broken, and Bushmen were still hovering around, eager to despatch their victims, and seize the remaining draught-oxen which still stood in the yoke. Three days and nights of anguish had now passed, without either food or rest. This was a period of terror and despair; weeping mothers encompassed by wounded, distracted, and fatherless children, could only lift up their voices to God in prayer; and at that moment, deliverance the most unexpected was approaching. The melting scene which followed cannot be better described than in the language of an eye-witness, Dr. Lichtenstein, whose description accords exactly with that which I received from the lips of one of the surviving widows: "The traveller having been joined by Kok on his way to the Kuruman, and seeing the tilt of a wagon at a distance, writes, "We hastened up to the wagon, and reached it before we were observed by any of the party; at the moment we came up, one of the women, seeing us, uttered a loud and piercing shriek, and falling prostrate on the earth before Kok, embraced his knees in a tumult of agony. In an instant after the children ran to wards us, crying, sobbing, and lamenting in the most piteous manner, so that it was some time before my worthy companion, down whose cheeks tears were streaming, had power to ask the unfortunate woman where her husband was. For a while renewed sobs were the only answer he could obtain. We looked up, and saw, a few paces from us, a boy about twelve years of age making a grave with an old iron axe, and near him, lying on the ground, the body of his father, wrapped in a mat. "The Bushmen have murdered him," exclaimed the unfortunate lad, and, letting his axe drop, he broke out into the most bitter cries and lamentations."" From the preceding melancholy tale some idea may be formed of travelling through a country inhabited by Bushmen, to whom the traveller is entirely unknown, and who, driven to desperation by the oppression and spoliation of their more powerful neighbours, take the law into their own hands, and often retaliate on the unoffending and defenceless. At a period anterior to these events, attempts had been made to open an intercourse with the Bechuanas, ostensibly for purposes of barter; but being generally conducted by such characters as justly excited the jealousy of the people, they often led to tragical consequences. The following may serve as a specimen, among many others which | 59 might be selected, of the way in which such intercourse was carried on. A party of some enterprize, consisting chiefly of Bastards, entered the interior by Great Namaqua-land. They were well armed, mounted on oxen, and had some women with them. When they left, they resolved not to return without a fortune. Pursuing their course a great distance, along the western boundary of the Southern Zahara, and favoured with a rainy season, they directed their steps east and south-east, till they reached the bed of the Mosheu River, where they found some cattle outposts belonging to the Bechuanas, under Molehabangue, then residing at Lithako (the Lattakoo of Mr. Campbell). Having nothing to offer in exchange, they supplied themselves with what they liked; took some of the cattle, despatched those who resisted their depredations, and pursued their course for some days along the river. They reached the metropolis of that part of the country, where the tidings of the robbery had arrived before them; and the inhabitants had the mortification of beholding two or three of their pack-oxen in the possession of the marauders. Of course no notice was taken, and more than usual courtesy was exhibited towards the ragamuffin visitors, who, in order to keep up an appearance of an abundant quantity of ammunition, which in reality was exhausted, had filled some bags with sand to deceive the natives. When the appetites of the guests had been whetted, and the whole party were anxious for a revel in beef, two oxen were presented to them. One of them being extremely wild (which was part of the stratagem), took fright at the appearance of the motley group, darted off, when all pursued, eager to secure their fat and tempting prey. This was the moment for revenge, and at a given signal several were speared at once. The others rallied, and retreated to one of the stone folds; but having scarcely any powder and shot, they made but a feeble resistance. Mercy in vain was asked, no quarter was given; and night put a close to the struggle, when the Bechuanas lay down by fires, surrounding their intended victims, as they usually do, even on the field of battle, and slept. Those of the travellers who were not wounded, aided by the darkness of the night, made their escape, and directed their course southward, as the colony was in that direction. At day-light the women and wounded were all despatched; and those who had escaped were pursued for three successive days, with the determination to exterminate the whole party. They had well nigh succeeded, for one alone of about fifty, covered with wounds, reached the waterfall at the Orange River, there to relate the horrible catastrophe which they had drawn upon themselves, and to raise the hue-and-cry against the Bechuanas, as savages of no common degree of barbarism. Dr. Lichtenstein was the first traveller who visited the Batlapis, having with him Mr. Kok, who had lived some time with that people; and he was able at that early period, 1805, to give a tolerably accurate account of their habits and customs. His specimens of their language, though assisted by Kok, do credit to his ear. During his stay, which was short, he received every demonstration of kindness from Molehabangue, who with his people resided at that time near the Kuruman River. 60 DR. COWAN AND CAPTAIN DENOVAN.-CHEERING PROSPECTS. The next travellers who visited these regions, were Dr. Cowan and Captain Denovan, who had a respectable and efficient party, with two wagons, under the auspices of the English government, in the year 1807. The object of the expedition was, to pass through the Bechuana country, and penetrate to the Portuguese settlements near Mosambique. They passed successfully through the various tribes of Batlapis, Barolongs, Bauangketsi, and Bakuenas, and perished at no great distance from the eastern coast, but by what means, has never been ascertained. When the writer was in the Bakuena country, about 300 miles north-east of Lithako, he met an individual who had accompanied the expedition as a guide to a river, from description supposed to be the Sofala, where he stated he left them; they intending to cross the stream, and proceed along its course to the ocean. | of these sounds in the names they attempt to render; but this subject will be resumed in the chapter on language, &c.* From the time the Griqua Town mission was commenced, and even prior to that period, parties of Bechuanas had occasional intercourse with them for purposes of barter; and they entertained a high regard for the Kok family, on account of important services rendered to them by the late Cornelius, the father of that family. When they were suffering from the depredations made by Bloom and other marauders, this noble-minded man disinterestedly espoused their cause, and put a stop to the destructive inroads of these desperadoes. The simple and faithful narrative which the late Rev. John Campbell gives of his travels in South Africa has long been justly admired. Having occasion to visit the different missionary stations, as the agent and representative of the London Mis sionary Society, accompanied by Mr. Read and several Griquas, he visited Lithako, and was cordially welcomed by the Bechuanas, Mothibi, the chief of the Batlapis, and other tribes. To come in contact with a people so superior, and open a path to one of the most interesting and populous fields of missionary labour, was an object worthy of the man. Mr. Campbell's object was not scientific research. His aim was still higher-the promotion of that cause of which science is but the handmaid. To cast his eyes over a field so inviting,-to hear the buzz of thousands of immortal beings, and above all, the declaration of the chief,-"Send missionaries,-I will be a father to them;" this was one of the happiest moments in the life of a man whose whole soul was engaged in an enterprise which had a special reference to the welfare of the poor degraded African, and the spread of the Redeemer's cause throughout the world. Every event in that In the year 1812, Dr. Burchell visited that country, and pushed his scientific and persevering researches as far as Chuë, a considerable distance north-west of Lithako; and it was the intention of that enterprising traveller to advance much farther into the interior, and even to pass through the Kalagare desert, to Kongo, the Portuguese settlement on the west coast; but he found it impossible to persuade any of his attendants to accompany him, and was therefore obliged to desist. Burchell's Travels are by far more correct and interesting than anything of the kind which has been written; and his drawings, as well as his descriptions of the native character, are exceedingly graphic. While his successful researches in the field of botany reflect great credit on his patience, ability, and judgment, his strictures on the Sechuana language show him to have been a diligent student, possessing an accurate ear. Had I possessed the work when engaged in forming a system of orthography, by reducing the language to writing, I should have derived great assistance from it; but having met with it only since my return to this country, I have been much struck with the remarkable coincidence of our ideas, while reducing the Sechuana to a written language. Great allowance, however, ought to be made for the mistakes of early travellers in writing names and words, for nothing but long labour and observation can enable any one to catch distinctly the different sounds of what appears to proceed from a simple expression of the voice. Such individuals are often misled by interpreters who have but a very partial knowledge themselves, and what they have is merely picked up in a casual way, and without any regard to grammatical principles. This is very evident in the writings and communications of those who have visited the country, and it appears that each traveller and missionary adopted new names, which differed only from those who had gone before, and who were the most correct. It is, however, difficult to explain why persons associating with the Bechuanas should write Bootshuanas, Boschuanas, Botchuanas, and Moschuanas; Lattakoo for Lithako; Krooman for Kuruman; Mateebe and Matevi for Mothibi; and Bachapins and Machapis for Batlapis; and Bacha-I have frequently been amazed to hear how promptly they raquas for Batlaros, &c. The sound of tl, nearly like the Welsh ll, is omitted, as well as the guttural, by Englishmen, who find a difficulty in pronouncing them; and this may possibly account for the absence The latter call themselves Bakone. As many words in the Sechuana language will necessarily occur in this and the following chapters, a few remarks on the orthography may be found useful to those who would in father; e like e iu clemency; e with an accent, like ai in wish to pronounce them correctly. The a is sounded like a hail; i like ce in leek, or ee in see; o like o in hole; u like u in rule: the y is always used as a consonant. These vowels are long or short according to their position in the word. like ch in chance; g is a soft guttural; gh, th, kh, are strong Ch, represented in Bechuana books by the Italian c, is sounded aspirates; t, like the Welsh preceded by a t; ng, which is represented in the written language by the Spanish, has the ringing sound of ng in sing. This outline will enable nexto read the Sechuana language with tolerable correctness. It may be proper to remark here, that the national name of the people is Bechuana, which is simply the plural of Mochuana, a single individual. Sechuana is an adjective, and is accordingly applied to designate anything belonging to the nation. Au itse Sechuana? Do you know Sechuana? language being understood. From these words all the dif ferent names which have been given to that people took their rise. They are called Briquas by the Hottentot tribes, from Brin, a goat, and qua, a people; either from their partiality to goats, or from one principal part of their raiment being made from the skin of the kid. Errors in such names are very easily accounted for. Dutch speakers not being able readily to pronounce the ch, make it s, and thus Boosuanas; while the natives are so condescending in this res ect to a stranger, that how absurd soever his pronunciation, they will imitate it with great precision, and applaud him for his skill. will abandon all the rules and euphony of their language, turning it to a perfect jargon, in order to be understood by those who are comparatively ignorant The language is soft and mellifluous, every word ending with a vowel, excepting nouns in the ablative case, plural verbs, verbs definite, and the interrogatives why, how, and what, all of which end with the ringing . MISSIONARIES SENT TO LITHAKO.-GLOOMY REFLECTIONS. important journey authorized the most sanguine expectations on the part of Mr. C., and he viewed that as the most interesting period of his valuable life, the prelude to a new era in the history of our African missions. After a circuitous course eastward from Lithako, he returned to Griqua Town, and proceeded to Namaqua-land, to which reference has already been made; and, after accomplishing his important and successful journey, he returned to England. His graphic and deeply interesting details produced a thrilling effect on the minds of the Christian public, who gave ample proof of their estimate of his labours and travels by their increased liberality towards the objects of missionary societies in general, and the mission to the Bechuanas in particular. In 1815, Messrs. Evans, Hamilton, Williams, and Barker, left England, to proceed directly to Lithako, and with the most sanguine hopes of a hearty welcome from the proffered paternal care of Mothibi, who they were led to believe would dance for joy on their arrival. With these animating prospects, Messrs. Evans and Hamilton left Bethelsdorp, Mr. Barker having remained behind in the colony, and Mr. Williams preferring an opening to Kafir-land. On their reaching Griqua Town, they were kindly received and encouraged by the brethren of that station. The late Adam Kok of Philippolis, Jan Hendreck, and others, as interpreters, and as men of influence with the Bechuanas, determined to accompany them to Lithako. This was the more desirable, as the Bechuanas, though heathens, having received signal services from Kok's father, greatly respected him, who was an excellent character, possessed of sound judgment, and amiable disposition. They reached the metropolis of that part of the country on the 17th of February, 1816; and the whole party, with their wagons, were admitted into the public square, when Mothibi, with many of his people, came up and shook hands with them. Mothibi's first question to A. Kok was, "What have you brought for barter ?" This was very natural for people who could not be supposed to have anything like correct notions of the real object of the missionaries. It nevertheless appeared that their minds were made up on the subject; for, when informed of their object, and that they were the men promised by Mr. Campbell, chagrin marked the countenance of Mothibi, and strong tokens of disapprobation were evinced by the subordinate chiefs. This was a comfortless reception for those who had made a long voyage; passed tedious and fatiguing months of gipsy life, in a desert and dangerous road; and had now reached the spot on which all their affections and hopes had centered, as the scene of future labour! In the evening, Kok, in a more formal way, introduced the missionaries to the king, when they presented to him the gifts of tobacco and beads which they had brought for that purpose; and Mahuto, the queen, also came in for a share. This was quite enough "to sweeten the heart," as the natives express it. At this favourable juncture, when they were exercised with uncertainty as to the result, and their desires were raised to the God in whose hands are the hearts of all men, Kok again stated their object, and referred to the promise made by the king to Mr. Campbell. He answered, | 61 They may come, and protect me; but they want water, much water." Then, directing their attention to the Kuruman River, he immediately proceeded to converse on other subjects. He was again reminded that Mr. Hamilton was a worker in wood, and that another missionary was on the way who was a smith, and could make hatchets, &c. This statement evidently afforded him satisfaction, and he observed, at the same time, to Kok, that he could not think of refusing persons recommended by him. He still hesitated, however, cordially to approve of their wish to reside with him, his excuse being, "There is no water, there are no trees; the people have customs, and will not hear." He was assured that the missionaries only desired to remain in order to communicate instruction to those willing to receive it. After a couple of days' intercourse, during which they could elicit nothing satisfactory, the king at one time assenting, then promising, and then cancelling, he at length appealed to his people, of whose judgment in the affair he said he would approve, repeating his wish that the missionaries would go and reside on the Kuruman river, and traffic with them, as Edwards and Kok had done, but that they should on no account teach the people. Mothibi then addressed his subjects thus: "Speak your minds. When the men were at the other place," viz., Messrs. Campbell and Read, 66 you remained silent, and when they departed you blamed me." Many of the people then exclaimed, “The missionaries must not come here;" and the king responded, "The missionaries must not come here!" The Kuruman River being upwards of thirty miles distant, and the country without inhabitants, they had no alternative but to return to Griqua Town, and thus was changed into more than the gloom of sadness, the pleasing prospect which the missionaries had, during their journey, painted in such glowing colours;-a king their nursing father-a people willing to receive the heavenly boon-overflowing audiences, in temples erected to Jehovahthe buzz of infant voices vibrating in the missionary's ear in the crowded school-room; and the healing streams of the water of life fertilizing the moral desert around. Instead of receiving gifts, as a means of promoting their temporal comfort, which, as the messengers of peace, whose object it was to impart the blessings of eternal life, they might have expected, they were surrounded by a host of importunate beggars, rich and poor, worrying them for tobacco and other articles: and as if determined to demonstrate their alliance to those who persecuted our Lord and his servants, the barbarous people followed these rejected heralds of salvation, as they re-yoked their wagons and departed from the place, with hooting and derisive vociferations, Away with the white people," &c. With sorrowful hearts they retraced their weary steps over the wastehowling wilderness, in which there were few charms to engage, or in any degree to relieve their minds from the dark and heart-rending scenes which they had left behind, and which threw a shadow more gloomy still, on minds alive to the awful consequences of shaking off the dust of their feet against a city containing many thousands of immortal beings. They mused on the mystery not uncommonly attached to the ways of Him, who, though too wise to err, has His footsteps in the sea, and His 66 62 CAUSES OF FAILURE.-SUSPICIONS OF THE NATIVES. path in the mighty waters. It may be profitable to trace the cause of this unexpected and mortifying reception, to its true source, as it exhibits to our view, how vigilant are the powers of darkness, when they witness their kingdom which, for a lapse of ages, has been kept in peace, about to be assailed by those who are appointed to break down their strongholds, and erect the standard of Him whose right it is to reign: and how good is often brought out of evil by Him, whose judgments are revealed even among the heathen. Before the missionaries visited Lithako, C. Buys, to whom reference was made in treating on the mission to Kafir-land, had removed to the vicinity of the Yellow and Hart Rivers, and had intercourse with the Bechuanas. Into their minds he diffused his principles, which were hostile to the colonial government, and succeeded in making willing converts. Among them was Mothibi's brother. This man was at Lithako while the missionaries were there, and it was through his influence that they were rejected. This same person, in returning to the Hart River, probably to announce to Buys his success in opposing the settlement of the teachers at Lithako, was shot dead by the poisoned arrows of the Bushmen. After this enemy was removed, it appears that Mothibi felt more favourably towards those whom, with some degree of hesitation, he had refused as residents with his people. Messrs. Hamilton and Evans were still waiting at Griqua Town for an opening; and in one of their itinerating journeys, they were told the king now seemed willing to receive them. This influenced them to make another journey to Lithako, but Mothibi, with about 1200 of his men, being absent for a month, they were compelled, by want of provisions, to return. Although their prospect had now begun to brighten a little, Mr. Evans, on returning to Griqua Town, relinquished the mission altogether, being disappointed in the character of the people, as well as in the language, which it was his special object to acquire, and reduce to writing. He returned to Graaf Reinet, entered the Dutch Church, and, after a short career, died at Craddock. CHAPTER XV. Mr. Read succeeds in obtaining consent-Great wisdom re quired-Suspicions of the natives-Difficulty of obtaining confidence-A Commando defeated-Encouraging tokens An untoward circumstance-Mr. Campbell's departure without which their stay at Lithako must have been but temporary; while Mr. Read continued his journey, determining either to settle at that place or at the Kuruman River, which the Bechuanas had recommended. On reaching the town, Mr. Read thought it prudent to take no notice of Mothibi's refusal of the brethren, but simply to remind him of the agreement with Mr. Campbell, and told him " that Mr. C. had influenced the good people beyond the Great Waters to send missionaries; that they rejoiced much at his promise to receive them, and had been very generous in sending by the missionaries a plentiful supply of articles to make him and his people happy, some of which were at Griqua Town, and some at Bethelsdorp, but which should be sent for." This information produced the desired effect on Mothibi's mind, and softened down his opposition. Some approved of the missionaries remaining, but not to preach or to teach; and others on condition that they should aid them in their expeditions to plunder the Bauangketsi nation. To the latter stipulation they would not accede; but at the same time assured them that, should an enemy invade the town, assistance would be given by the missionaries. By kindness and perseverance, the various objections raised against their residence with them were eventually overcome. Thus was an important point gained; and which, of course, ought to be the first sought by such as would introduce the gospel to barbarians; but it requires no little caution and prudence, in such a critical juncture, to avoid introducing a system which may afterwards involve either themselves or their successors in responsibilities and engagements, which circumstances put it out of their power to continue or fulfil. I confess I know of no part of the missionary's life in which he more requires the wisdom of the serpent in union with the harmlessness of the dove, than in his first intercourse with a savage people. What wisdom, what meekness, are necessary to him who proposes to introduce the elements of a spiritual empire, to sweep away refuges of lies, to prostrate idols and altars in the dust, to abolish rites and cèremonies, to transform barbarous and antiquated judicial systems, and, after apostolical example, "to turn the world upside down!" As a people like the Bechuanas, who never had the slightest idea of idols, or of idol service, could have no notion whatever of the object of missionaries, beyond that of secular interests, it is necessary from the establishment of Christianity, and this is to refer to the temporal advantages to be expected the critical moment which gives a character to succeeding years! While they had had intercourse with the Griquas, amongst whom they had witnessed the progress and results of missionary ment-National customs-Barriers to the Gospel-Labours labours, they were not ignorant of the political The loaf stolen-The Author returns to the Mission-Position of the Missionary among the Bechuanas-Difference of Missionary fields-Peculiar difficulties-Total absence of idolatry-Early professions no criterion-A rain-maker's reasoning-Bechuana government-Pitshos, native parlia of the women-Bechuana character-Lichtenstein and Thompson's testimonies. NOTWITHSTANDING these gloomy reverses, Mr. Hamilton, nothing daunted, resolved on making another effort. In the mean time, Mr. Read arrived at Griqua Town with a large party of Hottentots, from Bethelsdorp; and as there were no provisions for their support, Mr. Hamilton was compelled to proceed to the colony for supplies, connexion in which they stood to the colony; and had been informed by some of the evil-disposed, that the missionary there was an agent of government, and a pioneer to prepare, by pacific measures, the minds of the natives for the control of a foreign power. Thus, kind promises, a profusion of gifts, bodily service, fascinating as these were to such thoroughly sensual beings as were the Bechuanas, did not entirely remove their suspicions, that the missionaries were only the emissaries of the DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING CONFIDENCE.-UNTOWARD CIRCUMSTANCE. colonial governor. I have frequently heard at | a subsequent period, the views which were then entertained by men who are now instructed, enlightened, and established in the faith of the gospel, and on whose minds not a lingering doubt remains that the missionaries are indeed the messengers of the church of God. These men, in their natural state altogether devoted to sensual enjoyments, narrowly watched the conduct of the strangers, as well as that of their attendants; and what might have been supposed unknown, or too minute for the apparently obtuse perceptions of the popular rabble, was analysed with scrutiny and precision, and deductions were drawn rarely in favour of the objects of their observation. From these remarks the reader will perceive how much missionaries require Divine guidance in their first intercourse with heathen tribes and nations. It is extremely difficult adequately to conceive of the extent of the ignorance even of their wise men, on subjects with which infants are conversant in this country. Yet it cannot be denied, in spite of general appearances, that they are acute reasoners, and observers of men and manners. But to return: the prospect of a permanent settlement on the part of the missionaries did not depend upon the caprice of one, but of many; and especially on Mahuto, the queen, whose influence over her husband was great. Her favour was not procured without a very considerable tax upon the comfort of the missionaries, whose resources, she presumed, were at her command. She, with many others, like the multitude of old, could express her attachment and admiration so long as the loaves and fishes were available! Not unfrequently, if she was incensed, she would instigate her husband to acts in themselves harsh and severe. Her favour, therefore, was of no little importance when it could be secured. Nor is this at all surprising to those familiar with the heathen character; but woe to those who remain, or who succeed to carry on the work, and to struggle with the difficulties consequent on such a system! We rarely find that this mode of proceeding among ignorant savages, eventually melts away in the light of gospel day. There are exceptions; but these are associated with painful and protracted conflicts with the evils which the system now deprecated engenders. The brethren had not remained long at Lithako, before an event occurred, which, though disastrous in itself, produced consequences of great importance to the future interests of the mission. Mothibi mustered a large expedition against the Bakuenas, nearly two hundred miles to the north-east. Their object was to capture cattle. The supposed invincible commando was repulsed, driven, and scattered. Many were slain, others were dashed to pieces over precipices; and Mothibi, wounded in the foot, narrowly escaped with the loss of many of his warriors. The women had just been wailing over the loss of many cattle taken by the Bauangketsi; and now their husbands were gone to inflict the same distress on others! Bitter were their lamentations, as each succeeding party announced to many a distracted mother and child, that they were widows and orphans. Soon after this calamitous event, Mothibi and the majority of the town were influenced to remove to the Kuruman 63 River, which was in June, 1817. From this period to the arrival of the author, in company with Mr. Campbell, in 1820, the interests of the mission continued to fluctuate, but without any decisive evidences of the influences of the Holy Spirit being poured out. The public services were carried on, though by means of very imperfect interpreters; a serious drawback, of which, however, they were not sufficiently aware at that time. Notwithstanding these and many other impediments, good was being done, and the natives were gradually led to believe that the missionaries were their friends, though, as it afterwards appeared, few indeed attended for the sake of instruction. About this time an event occurred, which produced a very unpleasant sensation on the minds of the Bechuanas. A fair had been established at Beaufort, a village on the northern boundaries of the colony, for the purpose of affording means to the Griquas and Bechuanas, to avail themselves, at one season of the year, of an opportunity of purchasing, by barter, what they might require. A considerable party of Bechuanas were persuaded to go, but they returned disappointed and mortified; and three of their number were drowned in crossing the Orange River. They were not able to obtain the beads and other articles they desired, and were rather roughly treated by some of the farmers, from whom they expected to receive the same attentions as from the missionaries. The journey was to them unprofitable and disastrous: and they long suspected and insinuated that they were advised to go thither, to be robbed and treated with contumely. Mr. Campbell, after his very successful journey to the Bahurutsi, at Kurrichane, about two hundred miles north-east of Lithako, returned, accompanied by Mr. Read, to the colony, while I was appointed to remain at Griqua Town for a short season, and then join the mission at the Kuruman. Mrs. Moffat and myself could not but feel deeply when we bade what, at that time, we supposed to be a long and a last adieu, to the man who had always been dear to us, and who was then still dearer. We had travelled with him over many an African hill and plain; we had held converse with each other on the interests of Christ's kingdom in Africa; and we had often bowed our knees together before the throne of God, on behalf of the sable sons and daughters of that desolate country among whom we wandered, and for whose sakes we were strangers in a strange land. The memory of our beloved friend is very pleasant. It was refreshing to meet him once more on our return to our native shores. He has now terminated his pilgrimage, and entered into rest. Let us who survive imitate him who now, through faith and patience, inherits the promises! Mr. Hamilton was now left alone, to struggle with a variety of difficulties. His lot had been a hard one. In addition to great manual labour, in digging a long watercourse, preparing ground, and building, he had been compelled, from his scanty allowance, to toil with his own hands, to preserve himself and family from perfect beggary, while exposed to heavy taxes to keep nobles in good humour, enduring unremitting liberties, taken by those who seemed to think that they had a lawful |