118 ATTACK OF BOERS ON BAKWAINS. Chap. VI. 



with ability to read that, there can be little doubt as to the future. 

 We believe Clnistianity to be divine, and equal to all it has to 

 perform ; then let the good seed be widely sown, and, no matter 

 to what sect the converts may belong, the harvest will be glorious. 

 Let nothing that I have said be interpreted as indicative of 

 feelings inimical to any body of Christians, for I never as a mis- 

 sionary felt myself to be either Presbyterian, Episcopalian, or 

 Independent, or called upon in any way to love one denomination 

 less than another. My earnest desire is, that those who really 

 have the best interests of the heathen at heart should go to them ; 

 and assuredly, in Africa at least, self-denying labours among real 

 heathen will not fail to be appreciated. Christians have never 

 yet dealt fairly by the heathen and been disappointed. 



When Sechele understood that we could no longer remain with 

 him at Kolobeng, he sent his cliildren to Mr. Moffat, at Kurunian, 

 for instruction in all the knowledge of the white men. Mr. 

 Moffat very liberally received at once an accession of five to Ins 

 family, with then attendants. 



Having been detained at Kuruman about a fortnight by the 

 breaking of a waggon-wheel, I was thus providentially prevented 

 from being present at the attack of the Boers on the Bakwains, news 

 of which was brought, about the end of that time, by Masebele, the 

 wife of Sechele. She had herself been hidden in a cleft of a rock, 

 over winch a number of Boers were firing. Her infant began to cry, 

 and, terrified lest tins should attract the attention of the men, the 

 muzzles of whose guns appeared at every discharge over her head, 

 she took off her armlets as playthings to quiet the child. She 

 brought Mr. Moffat a letter, winch tells its own tale; nearly 

 literally translated it was as follows : — 



" Friend of my heart's love, and of all the confidence of my 

 heart, I am Sechele ; I am undone by the Boers, who attacked 

 me, though I had no guilt with them. They demanded that I 

 should be in their kingdom, and I refused ; they demanded that 

 I should prevent the English and Griquas from passing (north- 

 wards). I replied, These are my friends, and I can prevent no 

 one (of them). They came on Saturday, and I besought them 

 not to fight on Sunday, and they assented. They began on 

 Monday morning at twilight, and fired with all their might, and 



