i882.] 
Among the Barotse. 
49 
My idea, as you know, was to cross if possible at Wankie's, 
and go down to Moemba's town. Last year the Jesuits went 
down to Moemba's, where one died. A lot of goods was also 
stolen from them ; so the rest returned, giving up for the time the 
intention of settling there. They have since found the Barotse 
slow to receive them, and are making a second attempt to 
reach Moemba's; but Mr. Blockley tells me that the Barotse 
have sent down messengers saying, that if they let them or any 
other white man cross they will kill them all. 
THE BATOKA. 
Judging from Mr. Blockley's information, the Batoka people, 
whom it has been my aim to reach, are evidently, in many 
respects, an exceptional race ; only a few of them are here now. 
They cover an immense tract of country right along the north 
bank of the river up to Moemba's; then they take to the hills 
and the district north of the Falls. Their towns are three days' 
journey from the river. This is the substance of Mr. Blockley's 
conversation during the last three days. 
He strongly advises me, as the only way of getting among the 
Batoka, to visit first the Barotse king and get permission from 
him to cross the river. If once I obtained his consent to 
this I could go anywhere on the other side, and would have an 
immense field of work. How to reach the Barotse king is a 
difficult question. It means a long, toilsome journey of thirty 
days from here up the river. I could not make up my mind to 
attempt this ; so I let the matter rest for a day, and set to work 
to repair an old cart that I had bought for very little from 
Mr. Blockley to take me back to Shoshong, if it should seem 
advisable to return there. 
I felt I could only cry to God for these people, that He would 
send the gospel among them by whomsoever He chose. The 
work is His own. 
BACK TO LESHUMA. 
August igth. — Mr. Blockley said he was afraid he would have 
to go up the river to buy corn. Two waggons had gone the other 
way two weeks ago, and word had just come that no corn was 
to be had. So he has decided to go up the river, and asked me 
to accompany him. He will go by waggon to Leshuma, walk 
E 
