Retrospective View

Retrospective view — The prospective — First visitors to the Bechuanas — The chief Molehabangue — Messrs. Edwards and Kok — A dangerous expedient — Awful consequences — Honourable conduct in a heathen — Danger from Bushmen — The Bergover families — Murder of a father and daughter — A dreadful situation — A heart-rending scene — A party visit Lithako — A massacre — Dr. Lichtenstein’s visit — Cowan and Denovan — Dr. Burchell’s travels — DilRculties in the language — Mr. Campbell’s cheering prospects — Missionaries sent to Lithako — Interview with the king — Missionaries rejected — Gloomy reflections — Causes of failure — Mr. Evans relinquishes the mission.

We have now partially traversed the different portions of southern Africa, in which our missionaries have laboured with varied successes, among the Kafirs, Bushmen, Namaquas, and Griquas. In our perambulations, our hearts have been alternately the seat of sorrow and of joy. We have mingled our sympathies with those who were called to bear the heat and the burden of the day. We have heard them lamenting that they had laboured in vain, and spent their strength for nought; and we have seen them weeping over immortal souls, who, after having been brought within sight of the haven of eternal rest, despising the day of their visitation, have perished. We have united in our ascriptions of praise to the Author of all good with those who, though they went forth weeping and praying with painful solicitude, have been privileged to come again, bringing their sheaves with them. We have entered the kraal of the filthy and lazy Hottentot, and have witnessed the transforming influence of the Gospel effecting a change in his character and state, which neither the might nor the policy of an empire could achieve. We have known beings of so low a grade, that at one time it was seriously questioned whether they belonged to the human family; but aroused by the voice of love, and drawn by the attractions of the Cross, we have seen them rising from the abyss of degradation, entering into the holy of holies to hold communion with their God, and then in communion with their fellow Christians we have heard them say, ‘‘ Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” We have known him whom we were wont to regard with fearful apprehension, as a lion in his lair roaring for his prey, and spreading devastation around, ar¬ rested, humbled, and subdued, without a sword or spear. At one time he was the scourge and the terror of the country; but he became the advocate of peace, and the bond of union. We have heard the Kafir warrior tuning his hoarse voice, not to celebrate the sanguinary deeds, and to rehearse the barbarous soliloquies of his ancestors, hut in songs sweeter far than even the hymn of Sikana, who was the first Christian Kafir poet. We have also seen the ‘civilizing effects of the Gospel on the wandering Coranna and Griqua, of whom it may he affirmed, that though they were without a country or a name, they are now numbered amongst the tribes; and

that though they were not a people, they have be¬ come a people.

Leaving these scenes of deep interest, and which deserve to be depicted by an abler hand than mine, we now, in accordance with the spirit of the missionaries’ watchword, onward,” advance beyond

these little hills of Zion, to wider fields of missionary

enterprise.

We now proceed to inquire into the results of spreading the knowledge of the word of God amongst a people distinguished, by many peculiarities in their character and circumstances, from most of those described. Unaccustomed to the control of other powers, and living at a great distance from the confines of civilized society, they were remarkable for their barbarous independence and national pride. Missionary efibrts in these districts are of comparatively recent origin; and though the results of those efforts are such as to command lively gratitude, as well as to encourage enlarged expectations, our course now brings us within the shadow of those rolling clouds of darkness, covering an immense extent of territory, on which a ray of heavenly light has never dawned.

Nothing was known of the existence of the Bechuanas, as a people, distinct in many respects from the Kafirs, beyond mere report, until they were visited by a colonist, with a party on a predatory expedition. This was at an early period of the history of the Colony. The attack and robbery having been brought before the Colonial Government, a considerable time elapsed before they were again visited by these white plunderers (as they described them) from the south. The next visit was from the marauder Bloom, a Dutch farmer. He was accompanied by a considerable number of similar characters, who committed sad havoc on the herds and flocks of the Bechuanas, butchering great numbers of the comparatively defenceless inhabitants. In the year 1801, Somerville and Truter, who visited the missionary station on the Orange River, for the purpose of obtaining cattle for the government by barter, were led, from the information there obtained, to visit the Batlapis and Batlaros, the two nearest tribes of the Bechuana nation, for the same object. This visit made a very favourable impression, as to the character and disposition of the Bechuanas, on the minds of these gentlemen.

A short time before this, two missionaries had taken up their residence on the banks of the Kuruman River, near which the Batlapis and others were then livins: under the chief or king Molehabangue, who appears, from universal testimony, to have been a superior man, distinguished both as a statesman and a warrior. His kindness to strangers was also proverbial, a trait of character not always very conspicuous among savages. It was under the reign of this personage that Messrs. Edwards and Kok settled in the Bechuana country, for the ostensible purpose of preaching the Gospel to the natives, but it does not appear that they were ever able to effect anything among that people. When our missionaries, Evans and Hamilton, went to Lattakoo, or Lithako, thirty miles north-east of the Kuruman River, in reference to whom Mothibi said to Mr. Campbell, ‘‘ Send missionaries, and I will be a father to them,” this king with his council directed them to the Kuruman River, there to take up

their quarters, and carry on barter and trade as Kok and Edwards had formerly done. Though the latter remained several years in the country, they never appear, from all I could learn of the elder natives, who were intimately acquainted with their proceedings, to have given themselves out as instructors of the people. A mission at such a distance necessarily required considerable support, which was not at that time afforded to them, so that they were compelled to be dependent on their flocks and herds, and barter, to support themselves and families. This practice may at first appear very plausible, but in most instances it has proved detrimental to the interests of missions; for the mind, always prone to earth, is imperceptibly led astray from its grand object by a lucrative auxiliary. On this rock these men appear to have struck, and both were wrecked. They lived on the Kuruman River, at a considerable distance from each other, as they were never harmonious; and instead of being in the midst of the people, their residences were several miles from the town of Molehabangue. They visited the Colony and Cape Town when they had realized a sufficient quantity of ivory and cattle to be disposed of to advantage. Edwards even went for this purpose as far as the Bauangketsi, a powerful nation north of the Molapo River, and having amassed a handsome sum, and long forsaken his God, he left the country, retired to the Colony, purchased a farm and slaves, and is now, or was some years since, a hoary-headed infidel. I write what I know, having reasoned with him on the subject, when he treated my arguments with indignity and scorn. What is man when left to himself!

A different, though melancholy fate awaited Kok. He is reported to have been a devout man; and that which occasioned his death does not necessarily imply a dereliction of duty. One morning, when going to his folds to survey his flocks, two of his men with guns waylaid him, and shot him dead upon the spot. These men were Bechuanas belonging to Molehabangue, who complained of some grievance, in reference to remuneration for their last journey to the Cape. The king, on hearing of the fatal deed, ordered his son Mothibi to seize the murderers. As soon as they were secured, he sent a message to the widow, requesting her to he the executioner, employing the same kind of weapon with which they had killed her husband. Although deeply afflicted, she could not but admire the zeal with which the prince was determined to punish the criminals; nevertheless, she begged to he excused having a hand in the retribution, at the same time expressing her thankfulness for the active part he had taken in the affair, and for the assurances he had given her of his protection, and sympathy, and respect. Kok was buried at Gasigonyane, close by the spot where the great fountain of that name issues from a mass of rugged rocks. The murderers suffered the extreme penalty of the Bechuana law, which, like that of most other nations, is death; and so anxious was Molehabangue to assure those that stood the nearest connected with the Colony, of his indignation at the affair, that he sent messengers to Griqua Town, to relate the facts of the case. Mothihi, his son, often, in the course of familiar conversation with the writer, has referred to the event, and

the part which he, as prince, then took in punishing the offenders.

While Edwards and Kok were in that country, two additional labourers were sent out by the Dutch Missionary Society; but from the hopeless prospect of usefulness, under the existing state of things, they abandoned that field of labour, and returned to the Colony. The residence of Kok and Edwards among such a people, without being thoroughly identified with them, was necessarily attended with risk, and demanded no common share of personal courage. Travelling also was dangerous, from the Bushmen, who had kept up a constant predatory warfare with the Bechuanas from time immemorial, and upon whom they wreaked their vengeance when¬ ever an occasion offered. Kok and his attendants took no part in these outrages, but this did not exempt them from the inveterate hostility of the Bush¬ men, — an hostility exercised against all who possessed herds or flocks, as the following heart-rending catastrophe will prove. Kok was accompanied by two brothers, Griquas, of the name of Bergover, who afforded him not only society but assistance. When Kok visited Cape Town, these two remained behind, but for some reasons thought proper soon after to follow him with sixty head of cattle, and a quantity of elephants’ teeth, which they had obtained by barter. On the third day after leaving the Kuruman, they were joined by a few Bushmen, who received from them the offals of game which had been killed. The oxen, however, they possessed, excited their cupidity, and tempted the Bushmen to lay plans for their seizure. The Bergover party consisted of two men able to bear arms, their mother, their waves and fourteen children. The Griquas soon had reason to suspect the designs of their visitors, by little pro¬ vocations which their prudence had hitherto over¬ ruled. One morning, when the two brothers were working at a little distance from each other, and while one was stooping, in the act of repairing the wagon pole, a Bushman thrust him through with his spear. His daughter, eight years of age, seeing her father hill, uttered a shriek, when she, too, was transfixed with a spear by another. The other Griqua, hearing the alarm, and beholding his brother prostrate in his blood, rushed furiously on the eight Bushmen, who fled. He hurled a small hatchet, which he had in his hand, at the murderers, then seizing his gun, fired, and wounded one in the shoulder; but all escaped, leaving their bows and arrows behind them. Distracting beyond measure must have been the situation of the sufferers, with only one individual to defend them, for days, while passing through the country of those who were sure to renew the attack with increasing numbers., They removed from their frail wagon the ivory, wdiich they concealed in the ground. They placed in the wagon the corpses of their slaughtered relatives, with a view to their being interred during the night, to prevent their being treated with that indignity which the Bushmen often offer to the bodies of the slain. The next morning they continued their flight, with hearts beating at the sight of every distant object which appeared like a human being; for Bushmen were descried on the heights watching the progress of the weeping and terriiied band. Another night passed on the plain, a slecy)less night, except to the infants unconscious ol their

danger. Next day, passing a thicket of acacias, a shower of poisoned arrows fell around them, like hail¬ stones, some of which slightly wounded several of the children. Bergover fired his gun, and they fled, but the attack was resumed. Thus he continued, with the assistance of his boy, urging on his oxen; and though several of them fell under the poisoned arrows, they were quickly replaced by others. In the act of unyoking them, he and his son were both wounded, himself severely; nevertheless, the father continued to defend his children and herds. The gloomy night again set in, with the prospect of all being butchered. The morning dawned on them, and witnessed the closing scene of a catastrophe, at 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 helpless children, their only friend and defender being a ghastly corpse. The axletree of their wagon was broken, and Bushmen were still hovering around, eager to despatch their victims, and seize the remain¬ ing 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 he 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 Kuriiman, 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 towards 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 oy)pression 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 theBechuanas, 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 might be selected, of the way in which such intercourse was carried on. A party of some enterprise, 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 Biver, 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 them¬ selves 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, in

and the ^Yhole 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,) taking 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 hut 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 only out 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, wdiich was short, he

received every demonstration of kindness from Molehabangue, who with his people resided at that time near the Kuruman River.

The next travellers who visited these regions, were Dr. Cowan and Captain Denovan, who had a respect¬ able 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.

In the year 1812, Dr. Burchell visited that country, and pushed his scientific and persevering researches as far as Chue, 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. BurcheH’s Travels are by far more correct and interesting than any thing of the kind which has been written; and his drawings, * The latter call themselves Bakone.

DR. BURCHELl’s travels. as well as his descriptions of the native character, are exceedingly graphic. AVhile his successful re¬ searches in the field of botany reflect great credit on his patience, abilities, 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; hut having met with it only since my return to this country, I have been much struck with the remark¬ able 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 hut 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 hut a very partial knowledge them¬ selves, 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 widely 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; Mateehe and Matevi for Mothibi; and Bacha])ins and Machapis for Batlapis; and Bacharacjuas for Jkitlaros, etc. The sound of f/, nearlv like the Welsh //, is DIFFICULTIES IN THE LANGUAGE.

omitted, as well as the guttural, by Englishmen, who find a difficulty in pronouncing them; and this may possibly account for the absence of these sounds in the names they attempt to render; but this subject will be resumed in the chapter on language, etc.^

* 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, wish to pronounce them correctly. The a is sounded like a in father; e like e in clemency; e w ith an accent, like ai in hail; i like ee 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 p)osition in the word. Ch, represented in Bechuana hooks by the Italian c, is sounded like ch in chance; y is a soft guttural; gJi, th, Jch, are strong aspirates; tl, like the Welsh ll preceded by a t; ng, which is represented in the written language by the Spanish w, has the ringing sound of ng in sing. This outline will enable any one to read the Sechuana language wdth 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 any thing belonging to the nation. A u Use Sechuana? Do you know Sechuana? language being understood. From these words all the different 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 respect to strangers, that how absurd soever his pronunciation, they will imitate it with great precision, and applaud him for his skill. I have frequently been amazed to hear how promptly they 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 w’ord ending with a vowel, excepting nouns in the ablative case, plural verbs, verbs definite, and the interrogatives w’hy, how, and what, all of which end with the ringing h.

From the time the Griqua Town mission was commenced, and even prior to that period, parties of Beclmanas 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. AVhen 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 Bev. 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 Missionary Society, accompanied by Mr. Read and several Griquas, he visited Lithako, and was cordially welcomed by the Bechuanas, Mothihi, 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 hut 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 enter¬ prise 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 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 wel¬ come 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 ac¬ company 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 Mothihi, 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 any thing like correct notions of the real object of the missionaries. It nevertheless appeared that their minds were made up on the subject; for, when in¬ formed of their object, and that they were the men promised by Mr. Campbell, chagrin marked the countenance of Mothihi, and strong tokens of dis¬ approbation 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 centred, 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 Cod 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, They may come, and protect me; but they want water, much water.” Then, directing their attention to the Kuruman River, he immediately proceeded to con¬ verse 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, etc. This state¬ ment 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 traffick 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, “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 will¬ ing to receive the heavenly boon — overflowing audiences, in temples erected to Jehovah — the 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,” etc. With sorrowful hearts they retraced their weaiy steps over the waste-howling 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 ciiy 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 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 settle¬ ment 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 de¬ gree 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 Gri- (|ua 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 GraafF Reinet, entered the Dutch church, and, after a short career, died at Craddock.