When, a few days afterwards, upon an alarm reaching the station that the Mantatees were advancing to attack the Kuruman town, the female captives were carried along with the people who fled towards Griqua Town. We are told,—

within sound of the guns, perfectly regardless of large copper rings, sometimes eight in number, the fate of the other division, under the com-worn round their necks, with numerous arm, leg, mand of Karaganye. It was supposed they and ear rings of the same material. Their possessed entire confidence in the yet invincible weapons were war-axes of various shapes, army of the latter, being the more warlike of the spears, and clubs; into many of their knob-sticks two. Humanly speaking, had both parties been were inserted pieces of iron resembling a sickle, together, the day would have been lost, when but more curved, sometimes to a circle, and sharp they would, with perfect ease, have carried de- on the outside. Their language was only a diavastation into the centre of the colony. When |lect of the Sechuana, as I understood them nearly both parties were united, they set fire to all parts as well as the people among whom I lived. of the town, and appeared to be taking their de- They appeared more rude and barbarous than parture, proceeding in an immense body towards the tribes around us, the natural consequences the north. If their number may be calculated of the warlike life they had led. They were by the space of ground occupied by the entire suffering dreadfully from want; even in the heat body, it must have amounted to upwards of forty of battle, the poorer class seized pieces of meat thousand. The Griquas pursued them about and devoured them raw. At the close of the battle, eight miles; and though they continued despe- when Mr. Melvill and I had collected many worate, they seemed filled with terror at the ene- men and children, and were taking them to a mies by whom they had been overcome. place of safety, it was with the utmost difficulty As soon as they had retired from the spot we could get them forward. They willingly folwhere they had been encamped, the Bechuanas, lowed till they found a piece of meat, which had like voracious wolves, began to plunder and des- been thrown away in the flight, when nearly all patch the wounded men, and to butcher the wo-would halt to tear and devour it, though permen and children with their spears and war-fectly raw. ахев. As fighting was not my province, of course I avoided discharging a single shot, though, at the request of Mr. Melvill and the chiels, I remained with the commando, as the only means of safety. Seeing the savage ferocity of the Bechuanas, in killing the inoffensive women and children, for the sake of a few paltry rings, or of being able to boast that they had killed some of the Mantatees, I turned my atten- Halting in the evening, a dead horse was found tion to these objects of pity, who were flying in that had belonged to one of the Griquas, and which consternation in all directions. By my gallop- had been killed by the bite of a serpent. Next ing in among them, many of the Bechuanas were morning the women fell on the swollen and halfdeterred from their barbarous purposes. It was putrid carcase, and began, like so many wolves, to distressing to see mothers and infants rolled in tear it limb from limb, every one securing as much blood, and the living babe in the arms of a dead as she could for herself. Mr. Hamilton, who looked mother. All ages and both sexes lay prostrate on with utter amazement, advised them to avoid on the ground. Shortly after they began to re-the part where the animal was bitten. To his treat, the women, seeing that mercy was shown friendly warning they paid no attention whatever; them, instead of flying, generally sat down, and, in the space of about an hour a total dissection was baring their bosoms, exclaimed, "I am a woman, effected, and every particle of skin, meat, bone, the I am a woman!" It seemed impossible for the entrails, and their contents, were carried off. Mr. men to yield. There were several instances of H. was obliged to remain the whole day, finding it wounded men being surrounded by fifty Be- absolutely impossible to induce them to leave the chuanas, but it was not till life was almost ex-spot till every particle was devoured, and in the tinct that a single one would allow himself to be evening they actually danced and sang with joy! conquered. I saw more than one instance of a This will appear the more astonishing, as the man fighting boldly, with ten or twelve spears women were allowed a regular supply of rations; and arrows fixed in his body. The cries of in- but when people have fasted for a year they require fants which had fallen from the breasts of their quantities of food, which, if mentioned, would apmothers, who had fled or were slain, were dis- pear incredible, and a long period elapses before tinctly heard, while many of the women appeared the stomach regains its wonted tone. It would thoughtless as to their dreadful situation. Sev-only excite disgust were the writer to describe eral times I narrowly escaped the spears and sights of this kind which he has been compelled to war-axes of the wounded, while busy in rescuing witness. the women and children. The men, struggling with death, would raise themselves from the ground, and discharge their weapons at any one of our number within their reach; their hostile and revengeful spirit only ceased when life was extinct. The Mantatees are a tall, robust people, in features resembling the Bechuanas; their dress consisting of prepared ox hides, hanging double over the shoulders. The men during the engagement were nearly naked, having on their heads a round cockade of black ostrich feathers. Their ornaments were

In the preceding sketch, I have glanced but very briefly at the varied scenes connected with the mournful picture of that day. It would have been an easy matter to give more facts, but my mind still shrinks from farther details of feats of savage barbarity, and lion-like ferocity, which I witnessed among the Mantatee warriors. No less furious and revengeful was the spirit manifested by the Batlapi and other tribes, who though the most accomplished cowards, compared with the invaders, showed that they were, if less inured to war, still as cruel as those who, for years, had been imbruing

their hands in the blood of thousands. The Wounded enemy they baited with their stones, clubs, and spears, accompanied with yellings and countenances indicative of fiendish joy. The hapless women found no quarter, especially if they possessed any thing like ornaments to tempt the cupidity of their plunderers.

The women evinced the most entire indifference to the objects of terror by which they were surrounded; but still mothers clung to their infants, whose piteous cries were sufficient to melt a heart of stone. With all their conquests and the many thousands of cattle which they must have captured, they were dying from hunger. Their march for hundreds of miles might have been traced by human bones. Not having scen horsemen before, they imagined horse and rider constituted only one animal; but this, as we afterwards heard, did not intimidate them, for their determination was fixed on attacking the colony, having heard that there were immense flocks of sheep there. Had they succeeded in reaching the Orange river, or the borders of the colony, where they would most probably have been defeated, the destruction of human life would have been even more dreadful, as they must have perished from want, when retreating through exasperated thousands of the tribes they had vanquished, towards their own country. Some of the Bechuanas were so sensible of this, that they secretly wished that it might be so, in order that they might satiate their vengeance on a conquered foe..

dawn of day to commence a general massacre. The Mantatee women in our kitchens and outhouses perceived the alarm, and looked on, or slept with the most perfect indifference. Again and again parties came and knocked violently at our door, relating new fears, the spectres of their feverish minds. Mrs. M. put warm clothes on the two sleeping babes, in case of being able to escape on foot towards the mountain, while I hung my cloak on my gun fast by the door, ready to seize it for protection in our flight, from beasts of prey. A woman who had the day before but scarcely escaped the deadly weapons of the enemy, ran the whole night, and on reaching the threshold of one of the houses, fainted with fatigue, and fell to the ground. On recovering, the first word she articulated was, "The Mantatees !" This went through the thousands like an electric shock. As morning light drew near, the intensity of feeling increased a hundred-fold. This was a season for the exercise of prayer, and faith in the proinises of our God. The name of Jehovah was to us a strong tower, for, on looking back to that as well as to similar periods, we have often wondered that our fears were not greater than they were.

It was not until tranquillity was restored, after this alarming invasion, that Mr. Moffat accomplished his visit to Makaba. The picturesque details of all his journeys form delightful reading; but we press onward to The Mantatees, after finally leaving the coun- the head-quarters of this formidable chief, try, separated into two divisions. The one pro-who, as is proverbially said of another great ceeded eastward, towards the Bakone country, while the other proceeded to that of the Basuto, personage, was found to be not quite so bad from the eastern parts of which they had emi- as he was sometimes called. They were grated, or rather been driven, by the destructive welcomed by one of his sons and a party inroads of the Zoolu, Matabele, and other tribes. of his warriors; andLike many other pastoral people, when robbed of their cattle, they have nothing left; and thus must either perish or rob others; and from being wild men they became more like wild beasts. It is a deeply interesting fact, that a missionary is now laboring with success among the latter, conquering them with far other weapons than those which were found necessary to arrest their devastating

career at Old Lithako.

We have next this picturesque account of a night alarm in an African village:

This was a night of great anxiety. Messengers arrived announcing the certain approach of the Mantatees. It was dark and dreary. The town, without lights of any description, except the few embers of the house-fires, round which sat the trembling families. Most of the men were out of doors, listening to any thing like an unusual sound. The dogs kept up incessant barking. No watches were set, no spies sent out. There was no inhabitant between us and the field of battle. Every one appeared afraid to move from the spot where he stood. A cry of sorrow was raised in one part of the town which made every heart palpitate. It was the intelligence of one newly arrived, the melancholy taie of the parent of a family having been slain by the Mantatees. Occasionally a chief would come to our houses to announce his terror. Imagination painted the town surrounded by a host of the enemy, waiting the

Next day, before we had proceeded far, we were met by messengers from Makaba, who said he had not slept for joy, because of our approach. We passed many women, who were employed in their gardens, who, on seeing us, threw down their picks, and running to the wagons, lifted up their hands, exclaiming, "Ruméla," (their manner of salutation,) which was followed by shrill cries sufficient to affright the very oxen. Our guide conducted us through a winding street to the habitation of Makaba, who stood at the door of one of his houses, and welcomed us to the town in the usual way. He seemed astonished and pleased to see us all without arms, remarking, with a hearty laugh, that he wondered we should trust ourselves, unarmed, in the town of such a villain as he was reported to be. In a few minutes a multitude gathered, who actually trode on each other in their eagerness to see the strangers and their horses. Meanwhile Makaba walked into a house, and sent us out a large jar, or pot of beer, with calabashes, in the form of a ladle. Being thirsty, we partook very heartily of the beer, which possessed but little of an intoxicating quality.

Having thus reached the metropolis of the Bauangketsi, and having cast our eyes over a dense population, we were in some measure prepared for the din of many thousands of voices on the coming day. We were not mistaken, for, early next morning, and long before we were out of bed, we were surrounded by crowds, so that it was with difficulty

we could pass from one wagon to another. On erally employed in cutting out skins to sew togoing up the hill to have a view of the neighbor-gether for cloaks, and in the afternoon he was ing country, I was followed by number of men, frequently found in a measure intoxicated, from who, while I was taking some bearings, were not a stronger kind of beer made for his own use. a little surprised at the compass, which they re- He appeared aged, although his mother was garded as an instrument certainly belonging to a then alive. He was tall, robust, and healthy; sorcerer, though they laughed when I asked them had rather the appearance of a Hottentot; his if they thought that I was one. countenance displayed a good deal of cunning; and, from his conversation, one might easily discern that he was well versed in African politics. He dreaded the displeasure of none of the surrounding tribes; but he feared the Makovas, or civilized people. While walking

to a neighboring height, I was able to count fourteen considerable villages; the farthest distant about one mile and a half; and I was informed that there were more towns, which I could not see.

Though Makaba was a shrewd man about all ordinary affairs, and very fond of what he called news, it was impossible to engage, or even to awaken his attention to any of those serious topics upon which his visitor wished to converse. When told that he was to be entertained with news,

About ten o'clock A. M., Makaba made his appearance, with his retinue, and sat down opposite to my wagon. The bustling crowd retired to a distance, and a dead silence ensued. He addressed us nearly as follows:-" My friends, I am perfectly happy; my heart is whiter than milk, because you have visited me. To-day I am a great man. Men will now say, Makaba is in league with white people.' I know that all men speak evil of me. They seek my hurt. It is because they cannot conquer me that I am hated. If they do me evil, I can reward them twofold. They are like children that quarrel; what the weaker cannot do by strength, he supplies with evil names. You are come to see the villain Makaba; you are come, as the Batlapis say, 'to die by my hands.' You are wise and bold to come and see with your eyes, and laugh at the testimony of my enemies," etc. A long conversation afterwards ensued respecting the state of the country, and the Mantatee inva- His countenance lighted up, hoping to hear of sion. On this topic he was eloquent while de- feats of war, destruction of tribes, and such like scribing the manner in which he entrapped many subjects, so congenial to his savage disposition. hundreds of the enemy by ambuscades; and stretch- When he found that my topics had solely a reing forth his muscular arm in the direction of the ference to the Great Being of whom, the day befield of conflict, he said, "There lie the bleached fore, he had told me he knew nothing, and of the bones of the enemy who came upon our hills like Saviour's mission to this world, whose name he the locusts, but who melted before us by the shaking had never heard, he resumed his knife and jackof the spear;" adding, with a stentorian voice, | al's skin, and hummed a native air. One of his and with superlative self-complacency, . Who | men, sitting near me, appeared struck with the is to be compared to Makaba, the son of Meleta, character of the Redeemer, which I was endeathe man of conquest ?" The listening multitude broke the silence in deafening applause. I then told him that the object of my present journey was to open a communication, that we might consider him in future as one of our chief friends.

Makaba's city was very large for an African town. He had many wives, each of whom had a large separate establishment. The houses, or clusters of huts, though not larger, were neater and better built than those of the tribe among whom Mr. Moffat lived; and there was one rare feature in their economy-cleanliness.

The accuracy with which circles were formed, and perpendiculars raised, though guided only by the eye, was surprising. Their outer yards and house-floors were very clean, and smooth as paper. No dairy-maid in England could keep her wooden bowls cleaner and whiter than theirs were. In this respect they formed a perfect contrast to the Batlapis. Makaba frequently referred to the barbarous manners of his southern neighbors, and asked me, with an air | of triumph, if the Batlapis ever washed a wooden bowl, or if ever they presented me with food which did not contain the mangled bodies of flies, in a dish which had had no better cleaning than the tongue of a dog.

In the early part of the day Makaba was gen

،،

voring to describe, and particularly with his mi-
racles. On hearing that he raised the dead, he
very naturally exclaimed, "What an excellent
doctor he must have been, to make dead men
live" This led me to describe his power, and
how that power would be exercised at the last
day in raising the dead. In the course of my
remarks the ear of the monarch caught the
startling sound of a resurrection. "What!" he
words about? the dead, the dead arise!" "Yes,"
exclaimed with astonishment, "what are these
was my reply, "all the dead shall arise." "Will
my father arise ?" Yes," I answered, "your
father will arise." "Will all the slain in battle
arise?" "Yes." "And will all that have been
killed and devoured by lions, tigers, hyenas,
and crocodiles, again revive?" "Yes; and
come to judgment." And will those whose
bodies have been left to waste and to wither on
the desert plains, and scattered to the winds,
again arise ?" he asked with a kind of triumph as
if he had now fixed me. "Yes," I replied," not
one will be left behind." This I repeated with
increased emphasis. After looking at me for a
few moments, he turned to his people, to whom
he spoke with a stentorian voice ; Hark, ye
wise men, whoever is among you, the wisest of
past generations, did ever your ears hear such
strange and unheard of news?"
kaba, then turning and addressing himself to me,
and laying his hand on my breast, said, “Father,
I love you much. Your visit and your presence

Ma

have made my heart white as milk. The words of your mouth are sweet as honey, but the words of a resurrection are too great to be heard. I do not wish to hear again about the dead rising! The dead cannot arise! The dead must not arise!" "Why," I inquired, "can so great a man refuse knowledge, and turn away from wisdom? Tell me, my friend, why I must not add to words' and speak of a resurrection?" Raising and uncovering his arm, which had been strong in battle, and shaking his hand as if quivering a spear, he replied, "I have slain my thousands, (bontsintsi,) and shall they arise ?"" There is much to interest in the character and romantic history of this barbarous chief, who, in his own fashion, treated his visitors with princely munificence. Before their departure, he entreated Mr. Moffat to let him see muskets discharged on horseback. Mr. Moffat says,

generally made by the mere plebeian, but by the
utmost gravity and profound veneration, as well
as the most respectful demeanor. "You are
men, we are but children," said one; while the
other observed, "Moselekatse must be taught all
these things."
Nothing appeared to
strike them so forcibly as the public worship in
our chapel. They saw men like themselves
meet together with great decorum; mothers
hushing their babes, or hastily retiring if they
made any noise, and the elder children sitting
perfectly silent. When the missionary ascended
the pulpit, they listened to the hymn sung, and
language they could not understand all that was
though from their ignorance of the Bechuana
said, they were convinced that something very
serious was the subject of the address.

. . We embraced every opportunity of telling them the simple truths of the Gospel, and labored to impress on their minds the blessings of peace.

I declined, observing that there were others of It is often remarked that the Roman Cathe company far more expert; but he would not tholic religion, from its imposing and, in be satisfied unless I did it, as I was a white man. some respects, impressive ceremonial, is After much persuasion I submitted, and going the form of Christianity which is best into my wagon, professedly to fetch my jacket, adapted to a barbarous people; because it put into my pocket a brace of pistols, charged appeals at once to their senses. But may with powder only. After going a few turns round the smooth grassy plain, while the king not this imposing ritual, with its attendant and his attendants were roaring aloud with ad- pomps and ceremonies, which so powermiration, I galloped past them, discharging the fully affect the untutored mind, in reality contents of both pistols nearly at once, which interpose a barrier between the understandastonished the Bauangketsi more than any thing ing and the reception of spiritual truth ?— they had ever seen, and frightened them too, may not those endless outward observances for they all fell prostrate to the earth, supposing continue to hold the place of what they are they were shot. As soon as I alighted from the horse, Makaba began to unbutton my jacket meant to typify,and thus become hinderances to see the "little rogues," as he called them, ex- and obstacles instead of helps? A picture claiming, "What a blessing that you white men of the Madona, a strain of music, the priests' seek to be friends with all nations, for who is vestments, the lights, the altar, and the picthere that could withstand you?" Laying his turesque celebration of the Catholic worhand on my shoulder, he added, "I do, indeed, ship may, like any other spectacle, arrest see that you were without fear, or you would have had your pistols this morning." After remaining for a couple of hours we parted, Makaba highly gratified, and the Griquas [they had been distrustful] no less so with the explanation which had taken place.

the attention of those who cannot all at once apprehend the unadorned and simple, but sublime truths of the Gospel; but to gain this early advantage, is it wise to lay a false foundation and endanger the rearing of a superstructure of idle pageantry and useless ceremonial, while professing to teach the heathen that "God is a spirit, and that they that worship Him aright must worship him in spirit and in truth?"

A still more remarkable and more distant chief named Moselekatse, the king of a division of Zoolus named the Matabele, had heard of the white men of Peace, and sent two of his chief men, in company with some traders who had ventured into his country, to make themselves acquainted with the manners and arts of the Kuruman teachers. Knowledge of the art of war, of the means of destroying their enemies was, at first, the great object of all the chiefs in these embassies to the mission-stations. The strangers were astonished at all they saw of the powerful and hostile tribe of the Ma

Our houses, the walls of our folds and gardens, the water-ditch conveying a large stream out of the bed of the river, and the smith's forge, filled them with admiration and astonishment, which they expressed not in the wild gestures

When these intelligent barbarians had satisfied their curiosity, they proposed to return to their tyrannical and capricious sovereign, to report their embassy; but their way home, lying through hostile tribes, was unsafe, and any evil happening to the ambassadors of the fierce and warlike chief

tabele, must be productive of the worst consequences to the Bechuanas, and to the interests of the missionary cause in South Africa. Mr. Moffat, accordingly, resolved to become their escort as far as the Bahu

rutsi country, after which they could safely verdure. But these rocks and vales, and pictur proceed to their own land. The adventures esque scenes, were often vocal with the lion's roar. on this journey are, like the details of all It was a country once covered with a dense population. On the sides of the hills and Kashan mounMoffat's wanderings in those wild regions, tains were towns in ruins, where thousands once full of incident of the most stirring kind.made the country alive, amidst fruitful vales now We shall refer to them again in connection covered with luxuriant grass, inhabited by game. with some of the other encounters and pe- The extirpating invasions of the Mantatees and rils from lions and other wild animals, Matabele had left to beasts of prey the undisputed which so often in this narrative freeze one's right of these lovely woodland glens. The lion, which had revelled in human flesh, as if conscious blood. We now take up the travellers on that there was none to oppose, roamed at large, a the tenth day of their journey: terror to the traveller, who often heard with dismay his nightly roaring echoed back by the surrounding hills. We were mercifully preserved during the nights, though our slumbers were often interrupted by his fearful howlings. We had frequently to take our guns and precede the wagon, as the oxen sometimes took fright at the sudden rush of a rhinoceros or buffalo from a thicket. More than one instance occurred when, a rhinoceros being aroused from his slumbers by the crack of the whips, the oxen would scamper off like race-horses; when destruction of gear, and some part of the wagon, was the result.

We arrive at Mosega, the abode of Mokhaila, regent over the fragments, though still a large body, of the Baharutsi. These had congregated in a glen, and subsisted on game, roots, berries, and the produce of their corn-fields; having been deprived of their flocks by the Mantatees. They were evidently living in fear, lest Moselekutse should one day make thein captives. From these people I received a hearty welcome, though I was known to few of them except by name.

We have little space for African landscapes; yet, for the sake of our juvenile readers, we must copy this pretty picture of a singular community, which will remind some of them of a description given by Humboldt of the Ottomaques on the banks of the Orinoco.

Having fulfilled my engagement, in conveying my charge in safety to the Bahuruts, I, in a solemn and formal manner, delivered them over to the care of Mokhat!a, requesting him either to go himself, or send a strong escort to accompany them until they reached the outposts of the Matabele. To this proposal the Tunas were strongly opposed, and entreated me most earnestly to accompany them to their own country; urging, that as I had shown them so much kindness, I must go and experience that of their king, who, they declared, would kill them if they suffered me to return before Having travelled one hundred miles, five days he had seen me. Mokhatla came trembling, and after leaving Mosega we came to the first cattle begged me to go, as he and his people would flee outposts of the Matabele, when we halted by a fine if I refused. I pleaded my numerous engagements rivulet. My attention was arrested by a beautiful at the Koruman; but argument was vain. and gigantic tree, standing in a defile leading into last, to their inexpressible joy, I consented to go an extensive and woody ravine, between a high as far as their first cattle outposts. Mokhatla had range of mountains. Seeing some individuals emlong wished to see the fearful Moselekatse, who ployed on the ground under its shade, and the conihad desolated the Bakone country, and the proxi-cal points of what looked like houses in miniature mity of whose residence gave him just reason to tremble for the safety of his people; and it was only because they were not the rich owners of herds of cattle, that they had not already become the prey of this African Napoleon.

At

protruding through its evergreen foliage, I proceeded thither, and found that the tree was inhabited by several families of Bakones, the aborigines of the country. I ascended by the notched trunk, and found, to my amazement, no less than seventeen of these aerial abodes, and three others unfinished. On reaching the topmost hut, about thirty feet from the ground, I entered, and sat down. Its

The rain fell heavily for successive days, during which they halted with Mokhatla, who did not stand high in favor of the mis-only furniture was the hay which covered the floor, sionary. His

a spear, a spoon, and a bowl full of locusts. Not baving eaten any thing that day, and from the novPhysiognomy and manoeuvres evinced, that, elty of my situation, not wishing to return immewhile he had very little of what was noble about diately to the wagons, I asked a woman who sat at him, he was an adept at intrigue, and exhibited too the door with a babe at her breast, permission to much of the sycophant to command respect. He eat. This she granted with pleasure, and soon resolved to make himself one of my retinue. The brought me more in a powdered state. Several country through which we had to travel was quite more females came from the neighboring roosts, of a different character from that we had passed. stepping from branch to branch, to see the stranIt was mountainous, and wooded to the summits.ger, who was to them as great a curiosity as the Evergreens adorned the valleys, in which numer-tree was to him. I then visited the different ous streams of excellent water flowed through abodes, which were on several principal branches. many a winding course towards the Indian Ocean. The structure of these houses was very simple. During the first and second day's journey I was An oblong scaffold, about seven feet wide, is formcharmed exceedingly, and was often reminded ofed of straight sticks. On one end of this platform Scotia's hills and dales. As it was a rainy season, a smali cone is formed, also of straight sticks, and every thing was fresh; the clumps of trees that stud- thatched grass. A person can nearly stand upright ded the plains being covered with rich and living in it; the diameter of the floor is about six feet.