seemed to impress them deeply, insomuch that all stood gazing for some time in perfect silence, as if doubtful of their safety in entering. Finding, however, that their former hostile schemes were not so much as named, and that they were everywhere treated with kindness and hospitality, their fears soon gave place to gratitude and admiration. And the circumstance of this powerful Chief now visiting the colony in so different a character, and with feelings the very opposite of those which he formerly indulged, without even a single spear in his hand, excited considerable interest; whilst the generous reception he met with from all classes evidently induced a strong attachment to the British character, and a high sense of the benefits of civilization. · This, of course, materially added to our weight and influence amongst his subjects; and did more towards effectually conquering the " savage breast," and establishing permanent peace, than all the sanguinary terrors of war could possibly have done.

Soon after their departure the rains set in, and speedily rendered the Fish River's bridgeless stream wholly impassable. Fortunately they had safely crossed before the flood came down, so that to them it proved no barrier. But when we arrived on its banks a few days afterwards, no one was able to get through, without imminent risk of life. We were consequently obliged to encamp until its waters abated. While thus detained the heat was most oppressive, not only during the day, but throughout the night likewise, the thermometer frequently standing at 100° and 103° in the shade. I was now fully convinced of the correctness of Mr. Barrow's account of the high temperature which he experienced when descending towards the level of this river. "In the course of an hour," says that gentleman, "the thermometer, which at noon [in September] stood at 72° ascended to 102° in the shade; at which point it remained, at the ford, for

some hours." Mrs. K. became exceedingly languid and unwell, and our dear infant suffered extremely; the fever occasionally rising to an alarming height.

The Sabbath found us peculiarly situated :-far from the assemblies of the pious, and from the house of ordinances; in a deep and lonely vale, wild and dreary indeed. A dense forest, extending many miles every way, encompassed us about; and the stunning din of a sweeping torrent was perpetually upon our ears. No sooner had the shades of night fallen than the hideous scream of elephants, the doleful howl of wolves, and the dissonant screech of owls were heard on every side. In the course of the evening a prodigiously large elephant passed within a few paces of our encampment; and a herd of these terrific creatures came down to drink on the opposite bank the night before. The waggon of Mr. a naturalist, who had occasion, some months previously, to spend the night near the spot where we were obliged to tarry, was violently attacked by one of these sagacious brutes, which actually pushed its tusk through the side, and into some chests that were within. Some have supposed that the animal was irritated by a smell arising from the bones of one of its own species; the entire skeleton and skin of which that gentleman was taking with him to the colony.

Two Kaffers, who were excellent swimmers, having come to our assistance, and the waters having greatly abated, we put our oxen to the yoke about sun-rise on Wednesday the 15th, (February,) resolving, if possible, to gain the opposite bank. About ten days previously an English soldier was lost at the ford in a similar adventure; and a few days subsequently one of the traders' waggons was completely swept away, notwithstanding every effort to save it. By the good providence of God, however, although one of our vehicles was in considerable danger, while passing, we all at length got safely

through without any loss whatever. The accompanying view, taken while our little Mission party were crossing the Great Orange River, in 1821, may serve to give the reader some idea both of the difficulty and danger to which the African Missionary is sometimes unavoidably subjected, in the prosecution of his arduous work.

Being now settled in the native territory, the state, capabilities, and habits of the people around us became, of course, subjects of interesting and diligent research. The country, occupied by the Amakosæ, and generally known by the name of Kafferland, is a comparatively narrow strip, extending from the colonial boundary to the Bashee, or St. John's River. On the South side it is bounded by the sea, and on the north by a high ridge of mountains, which is said to extend into the vicinage of Delagoa Bay, and which, westward, forms a part of the Winter Berg, Bush Berg, and Bruintjes Hoogte chain.

This range which, in the course of my Missionary peregrinations, I had occasion to cross, shortly after our arrival at Mount Coke, is but an easy day's ride from the station. Its height from the level of the sea is consider. able; and its summit, in the winter season, is frequently covered with snow for months together.

Along the base there are, here and there, fine savannas, beautifully intersected with small clumps of trees, and carpeted with a rich variety of herbaceous plants. An excellent streamlet meanders amongst the shrubbery in the centre of the valleys, and gives life to the whole landscape. Having reached the foot of the principal ascent, we alighted, and began to climb on foot, but the heat of the day rendered our walk any thing but pleasant. On one part of the declivity the path led through a dense forest of yellow wood trees, (the principal timber of the colony,) some of which were the largest I ever

saw.

The upper part of the mountain presented to the eye