340 MEET OLD FKIENDS. 



lired several shots into the dwelling-house, though, fortunate- 

 ly, without effect. Mrs. Rath and children were laid up by 

 " eye-sickness," and Mr. Schoneberg, who had arrived the 

 day previously, and who was in a very weak state from the 

 eiFects of a recent severe illness, was almost frightened out 

 of his senses by the sudden and unexpected onset. 



On Mr. Rath walking up to the barbarians to remonstrate 

 with them on their brutal conduct, they seized and flogged 

 him most severely. A Damara who was at his side they 

 shot dead. In consequence of this attack, Messrs. Rath and 

 Schoneberg were daily expected to leave their stations, and 

 to remove to ]Mr. Bam's place. 



On the other hand, I heard that a party of Bechuanas had 

 been visiting Jonker Afrikaner, and it was supposed they had 

 crossed the Kalahari desert. This was gratifying intelli- 

 gence, because, if these natives had been able to pass through 

 such dreaded regions, I might also humbly hope to do the 

 same. 



On my return k) the Bay I found almost all my goods, 

 and those of my friend, Mr. Reid, safely landed, and, with 

 the assistance of Mr. Bam's oxen, every thing was quickly 

 transferred to the station. This was scarcely eiFected when 

 the Rev. Messrs. Kleinschmidt and Hahn arrived from the 

 Cape. The latter had been on his road to Europe to pay a 

 visit to his family, and make some arrangements respecting 

 the education of his children. But his heart bled for the 

 wretched condition of this benighted land, and, at immense 

 sacrifice, he returned with a view of endeavoring once more 

 to bring about a reconciliation between the Namaquas and 

 the Damaras. 



Next to the love and worship which we owe to our Cre- 

 ator must be ranked the love of our own species. This Di- 

 vine doctrine recalls those beautiful lines by Leigh Hunt : 



" Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase I) 

 Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, 



