AFRICAN MISSIONS. 565 



not only in extending missions inland, but in knowing anything reliable 

 about the interior. On one occasion I met with a very intelligent native 

 trader at Benita, who had travelled farther inland than most ; and being 

 desirous of gathering information on the subject, I questioned him regarding 

 the tribes occupying those parts. Having not long before been travelling 

 myself along the valleys of the Sierra del Chrystal mountains, I knew some- 

 thing about the inhabitants, but wished to know what people were behind 

 these. He told me of several tribes occupying belts of country beyond each 

 other, and parallel with the coast, all which were noted down. ' And what 

 tribe beyond these ?' ' The people with the two toes,' was the answer. 

 ' Two toes ?' ' Yes.' ' Like cows' feet ?' ' No, just two toes.' Had he seen 

 them himself ? ' No ; but had heard of them.' The man seemed quite serious, 

 and did not mention the thing as a marvel, but as an unquestionable and 

 well-known fact. Having got thus far, however, I closed my note-book. 

 Africa is a strange, mysterious land! All along the coast commerce has 

 been carried on for centuries, and yet little is known of that wide region 

 within. It still remains a mystery. From my eyrie on the mountain I can 

 see in clear weather a long range of mountains beyond Cameroons, stretching 

 away towards the south ; but what is beyond that mountain barrier is all un- 

 known to me. 



" In consequence of their being thus confined to the seaboard, West 

 African missions are, humanly speaking, carried on at a great disadvantage, 

 and at much cost of life and money. Of course the work has to be done, at 

 whatever cost, but still economy should be aimed at. Besides loss of life, 

 there is much loss sustained in consequence of the interruptions caused by 

 the necessary absence of white agents in quest of health. During these 

 absences active operations are in general carried on very feebly, if not alto- 

 gether suspended ; and as may be supposed, much of what has been done 

 becomes undone, and requires to be re-done, while a great deal may be irre- 

 coverably lost. 



" In speaking of African missions, my remarks have reference to those 

 which I have visited, although they may be very probably applicable to 

 other misions on the "West Coast as well. The missions to which I refer are 

 those carried on by the American Presbyterian Board at Gaboon, Corisco, and 

 Benita ; by the Baptist Society at Cameroons and at this place, and by the 

 United Presbyterian Church of Scotland at Calabar. Roughly speaking, these 

 three missions may be said to be about the same age — a little over thirty 

 years. By referring to a good map or chart, you will see that Gaboon is the 

 farthest south, and almost on the equator. The others are all to the north of 

 that, and may be said to be contiguous to each other, in so far that no other 

 missson intervenes. To begin with the American mission, and at its most 

 southerly station. Gaboon was at one time well supplied with agents, but 



