1843-47] FIRST TWO STATIONS. 69 



need not be sorry for me, for long before this reaches you it will be 

 quite as strong as ever it was. Gratitude is the only feeling we ought 

 to have in remembering the event. Do not mention this to any one. I 

 do not like to be talked about." 



In a letter to the Directors, Livingstone briefly adverts 

 to Mebalwe's service on this occasion, but makes it a peg 

 on which to hang some strong remarks on that favourite 

 topic — -the employment of native agency : — 



" Our native assistant Mebalwe has been of considerable value to 

 the Mission. In endeavouring to save my life he nearly lost his own, 

 for he was caught and wounded severely, but both before being laid 

 aside, and since his recovery, he has shown great willingness to be 

 useful. The cheerful manner in which he engages with us in manual 

 labour in the station, and his affectionate addresses to his country- 

 men, are truly gratifying. Mr. E. took him to some of the neigh- 

 bouring villages lately, in order to introduce bim to his work ; and I 

 intend to depart to-morrow for the same purpose to several of the 

 villages situated north-east of this. In all there may be a dozen con- 

 siderable villages situated at convenient distances around us, and we 

 each purpose to visit them statedly. It would be an immense advantage 

 to the cause had we many such agents." 



Another proof that his pleas for native agency, pub- 

 lished in some of the Missionary Magazines, were telling 

 at home, was the receipt of a contribution for the em- 

 ployment of a native helper, amounting to £15, from 

 a Sunday-school in Southampton. Touched with this 

 proof of youthful sympathy, Livingstone addressed a long 

 letter of thanks to the Southampton teachers and 

 children, desiring to deepen their interest in the work, 

 and concluding with an account of his Sunday-school : — 



" I yesterday commenced school for the first time at Mabotsa, and 

 the poor little naked things came with fear and trembling. A native 

 teacher assisted, and the chief collected as many of them as he could, 

 or I believe we should have had none. The reason is, the women 

 make us the hobgoblins of their children, telling them ' these white 

 men bite children, feed them with dead men's brains,' and all manner 

 of nonsense. We are just commencing our mission among them." 



A new star now appeared in Livingstone's horizon, 

 destined to give a brighter complexion to his life, and a 



