JVnSSIONARY STATION NAMAQUAS. 127 



Schmelen's Hope {SchmelerCs Vervachtung) is so called, 

 partly on account of its advanced position, and partly in 

 honor of its founder, the Eev. Mr. Schmelen, who, by all ac- 

 counts, was one of the most gifted and most enterprising of 

 missionaries that ever set foot on African soil. For a time 

 this station was occupied by JVIi*. Hahn, and recently by his 

 colleague, ]Mi'. Kolbe'. About the time that we landed at 

 Walfisch Bay, however, the latter had found it necessary to 

 beat a precipitate retreat, in consequence of an attack upon 

 the station by a party of Namaquas. 



Shortly after Mr. Kolbe's settlement at Schmelen's Hope 

 he was joined by Kahichene — of whom mention has been 

 made in the foregoing pages — and a considerable number of 

 his tribe. They continued to live here in the most unsus- 

 pecting security. The missionary cause made considerable 

 progress, and hopes were really entertained that Damara- 

 land might eventually be civilized. The golden visions of a 

 happy future for this unfortunate country were, however, 

 speedily dispersed by the sudden appearance of a party of 

 Namaquas, under the immediate command of Jonker Afri- 

 kander. By this band a great number of natives were mas- 

 sacred ; a considerable booty of cattle was carried off; and 

 Kahichene himself had a hairbreadth escape. Just as he 

 was making good his retreat, he was observed and followed 

 by a mounted Namaqua. On finding himself hard pressed, 

 and that it was impossible to avoid his pursuer, the chief 

 turned quickly round, and the next instant, with a poisoned 

 arrow, laid the man dead at his feet. 



Many acts of great cruelty were perpetrated on this occa- 

 sion, of which the following may be cited. Several Damaras 

 had taken refuge on the summit of an isolated rock eighty 

 or ninety feet in height. As soon as the Namaquas perceived 

 them, they coolly seated themselves round the base, and, 

 whenever any of the poor fellows peeped forth from their 

 hiding-places, they were shot like so many crows. Mr. Gal- 



