Chap. XV. bishop Mackenzie's successor. 405 



conceal that we waited with much chagrin ; for had we 

 not been forced to return from the highlands west of 

 Nyassa we might have visited Lake Bemba ; but un- 

 availing regrets are poor employment for the mind; so 

 we banished them to the best of our power. 



About the middle of December, 1863, we were informed 

 that Bishop Mackenzie's successor, after spending a few 

 months on the top of a mountain about as high as Ben 

 Nevis in Scotland, at the mouth of the Shire, where there 

 were few or no people to be taught, had determined to 

 leave the country. This unfortunate decision was com- 

 municated to us at the same time that six of the boys 

 reared by Bishop Mackenzie were sent back into hea- 

 thenism. The boys were taken to a place about seven miles 

 from the ship, but immediately found their way up to us. 

 We told them that if they wished to remain in the country 

 they had better so arrange at once, for we were soon to 

 leave. The sequel will show their choice. 



As soon as the death of Bishop Mackenzie was known 

 at the Cape, Dr. Gray, the excellent Bishop there, pro- 

 ceeded at once to England, with a view of securing an 

 early appointment of another head to the Mission, which 

 in its origin owed so much to his zeal for the spread of 

 the gospel among the heathen, and whose interests he 

 had continually at heart. About the middle of 1862 we 

 heard that Dr. Gray's efforts had been successful, and that 

 another clergyman would soon take the place of our de- 

 parted friend. This pleasing intelligence was exceedingly 

 cheering to the Missionaries, and gratifying also to the 

 members of the Expedition. About the beginning of 1863 

 the new Bishop arrived at the mouth of the river in a 

 man-of-war, and after some delay proceeded inland. The 

 Bishop of the Cape had taken a voyage home at con- 

 siderable inconvenience to himself, for the sole object of 

 promoting this Mission to the heathen ; and it was some- 



