was our intention to proceed on Monday to Mahubeechu, a small fountain, southward of the town. He stated in reply, that "being so seldom visited, he thought it but right that we should make our stay long.'

5 In our intercourse with the Wankeets, we see only one great man reverenced and looked up to by all. His orders are peremptory, and are obeyed with the greatest promptitude. His subjects are both numerous and una nimous, and I think the renowned valour of the Wankeets may be ascribed to unity more than personal courage or boldness.

8. Sabbath.-Had our prayer-meeting at our usual time, but such was the crowd and noise, (which increased the more we begged of them to be still,) that we were obliged to desist. In the course of the forenoon I went up to Makabba, accompanied by some of our company. On his being asked if he knew any thing about God, he very emphatically answered, "How can I? no man ever instructed me?" The doctrines of the Bible filled them with astonishment. The whole company listened with profound attention. The soul's immortality, and the resurrection, seemed to strike them most; they looked as if they expected the latter to take place while I was speaking. Makabba thrice very earnestly asked, Shall the dead live?" I answered, Yes. The bones on the plains?

6

Yes.

(Bodies consumed by beasts of prey?' 'Yes. He at length exclaimed, My ears hear to-day.' One remarked, I have killed men, but men never saw the breath or soul escape. Because invisible, I rejoined; and then referred him to a number of invisible things, whose existence is never questioned. On this Ma

kabba remarked, that "he was old, but never thought of these things before. You were (added he) lately speaking of God, and from your description of the soul, it must resemble Him.' This I explained. On my enumerating some of the miracles of Jesus Christ, one very naturally exclaimed,What an excellent Physician he was, to make dead men live.' When I spoke to them of a place of rewards and punishments, they did not seem so well pleased. They were greatly interested with a description of books, writing, &c. I conveyed instruction in a conversational way, and was happy to find afterwards, that many who were not present at those seasons of instruction, came to my waggon, and made inquiries which evinced that the subject was matter of general conversation.

"This evening a report was spread among our party, that the Wankeets were intending to murder us all, which excited considerable alarm. On examination, I found that it entirely originated with a few Batclhapees, who had accompanied us, which induced me to treat the report with the greatest indifference. However, nothing could quell the fears of the Griquas, who made preparations for defence, while imagination construed every motion and message of the Wankeets to be hostile.

"This morning all was confusion, and the natives seeing us making preparation to depart, surrounded the waggons by thousands, with oxen and articles for sale, while the appearance of the Griquas showed that all was not right. Dreading lest such hasty conduct should have a bad effect on their minds, I remained conversing with some chief men long after the waggons were gone. We halted about a mile and a half

Southward of the town, where messengers from Makabba met us, justly complaining of our abrupt departure. During the evening a man came and endeavoured to corroborate the report, but on his hearing that we should bind him till we called the persons he referred to, he very nimbly scampered off.

"10.-According to a proposal I made the preceding night, and my promise to Makabba, I got up early, and informed the Griquas that I was going to the town; that I had come thus far for the express purpose of opening the door for the introduction of the Gospel, which was now, by their credulity, shut. They all opposed, and some talked of using force, to prevent me running unto death, as they described it. I, however, walked off toward the town, and before I had reached it I was overtaken by three of our company, who said nothing, but followed after. We found Makabba sitting in the midst of a company of his chief men. On our approaching him, he addressed us individually,— Bonow Boolootsan,' (good morning, villain.) We then sat down and entered into conversation. He very justly complained of our unexpected departure, and with not having communicated the reports, of which he had been informed, for investigation. I answered, that I never credited the reports referred to, and that our visit this morning, unarmed, (as he might see,) was, I thought, sufficient proof of the confidence reposed in him. He remarked, that 'he had not slept last night, but that our arrival this morning was sufficient to make him dance for joy.' After spending some time in conversation, he gave us refreshments, and presented me with another ox, and ordered a number to be taken to the waggons, for

the Griquas. By this time a multitude was collected, every one more eager than another, to assure us of their joy at seeing us once more. Before leaving, I addressed Makabba, stating, that if I had given him and his people a satisfactory proof of peace and friendship, I begged one in return, viz., that he would accompany me to the waggons, to which he replied, that 'he was now old, but could not deny my request.' We accordingly repaired to the waggons, when he joked the Griquas for their credulity, presenting each of the chief men with an ox. Before he left us, he requested me and two of my company to saddle our horses, for he was anxious to see muskets discharged on horseback. I declined, observing, that there were others of the company far more expert; but nothing would serve him but I must do it, as I was a white man. I acquiesced, and putting into my pockets a brace of pistols, charged with powder only, I passed them in full gallop, and discharged the contents of both nearly at once, which astonished the Wankeets more than any thing they had ever seen. As soon as I alighted from the horse, Makabba began to unbutton my jacket, to see the little rogues,' as he called them, exclaiming What a blessing that you white men seek to be friends with all nations, for who is there who could withstand you?' Laying his hand on my shoulder, he added, "I do indeed see that you were without fear, or you would have had your pistols this morning.' After stopping some time, he took his departure, highly gratified, and the Griquas no less so with the explanation which had taken place.

"11.-We took our departure this morning, on our return to the Kuruman."

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CHAPTER IX.

Caffer Mission.-Effects of Dr. Vanderkemp's labours.-Renewal of the Mission in 1816.-Exploratory Excursion.-Anxiety of the Caffers to obtain Missionaries.-Unfriendly sentiments of the Colonists.-Settlement of Mr. Williams at the Kat River.Progress of his labours.-Visit of the Governor, and his conference with Gaika.-Conduct of Colonel Cuyler.

HAVING noticed the Bechuana mission, I now return to offer some account of that originally commenced by Dr. Vanderkemp, among a kindred people, the Southern Caffers, whose country comes into immediate contact with the colony, on its eastern extremity*.

The success which attended Dr. Vanderkemp's attempt among this people, though not at the time very encouraging, was quite as great, considering the disadvantages under which he laboured, as could be expected during the short period he was among them †.

The native appellation of this tribe is Ammakosa, and that of their country Ammakosina. Lichtenstein has described them under the name of Koosas. An interesting sketch of their history, and peculiar manners and customs, from the pen of our excellent missionary, Mr. Brownlee, is inserted in the APPENDIX to Mr. Thompson's Travels.

The following remark is taken from the journal of Mr. Read, subsequently referred to in this chapter :

"The labours of our late brother, Vanderkemp, did not then appear to be very useful; but he has made the name of a missionary so valuable, by his disinterested behaviour, that a missionary is safer there than, perhaps, he would be in many parts of England;

VOL. II.

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