MODE OF TRA VEILING. 11 



which he has printed thousands of Sichuana Testaments, as also tracts 

 and hymns, which are now eagerly purchased by the converted natives. 

 Mr. Moffat is a person admirably calculated to excel in his important 

 calling. Together with a noble and athletic frame he possesses a face in 

 which forbearance and Christian charity are very plainly written, and his 

 mental and bodily attainments are great. Minister, gardener, blacksmith, 

 gunsmith, mason, carpenter, glazier — every hour of the day finds this 

 worthy pastor engaged in some useful employment — setting by his own 

 exemplary piety and industrious habits, a good example to others to go 

 and do likewise." Speaking of another visit he says : " The following day 

 was Sunday, when I attended Divine service in the large church morning 

 and evening, and saw sixteen men and women, who had embraced the 

 Christian faith, baptized by Mr. Moffat. It was now the fruit season 

 (January, 1845), and the trees in the gardens of the missionaries were 

 groaning under a burden of the most delicious peaches, figs, and apples. 

 The vines bore goodly clusters of grapes, but these had not yet ripened." 



Years of perseverance and patient effort on the part of Dr. Moffat 

 and his colleagues had been crowned with success, and the material and 

 spiritual advancement of the natives was most marked. Further on we 

 treat at some length of the trials and difficulties which they had to go 

 through, before reaching such a state of progress and happiness. 



As we proceed we shall draw upon the writings of Dr. Moffat and others, 

 when these will assist us in illustrating the manners and customs of the 

 people, and help to increase our knowledge of the countries — and their animal 

 and vegetable life — under our review. 



The mode of travelling in and around the Kalahari desert and the districts 

 to the south is on horseback, or in waggons drawn by oxen. These waggons 

 are heavy lumbering wooden structures, on broad wheels, to enable them to pass 

 easily over the stretches of loose sandy soil which are of frequent occurrence at 

 a distance from the few rivers and streams which intersect the country. These 

 waggons are drawn by oxen — a team, or span, consisting of from 4 to 12 

 oxen, according to the weight of the baggage carried. To the north of the 

 Kuruman River, the travellers must carry their food, water, and bedding, 

 and encamp for the night in the open air, unless when they can lodge with a 

 friendly tribe. In the most favourable seasons the country to the north of 

 Cape Colony is very scantily supplied with water, and in a period of drought 

 the suffering from want of water on the part of the natives is very great. As 

 all the animals on which they depend for food migrate during the continuance 

 of a drought, the suffering of the people is greatly intensified; and many 

 tribes move their quarters in search of a land more fortunately situated. 



Many Hottentots, Bushmen, and Kaffres reside throughout the colony. 

 Several tribes of pure Hottentots are found in a savage state to the north- 



