8 
Seven Years in Central Africa. 
[Nov. 
START FOR POTCHEFSTROOM. 
November jgth, 1881. — It is just four months since I left 
London, and again I am making a start. Last week, hearing of 
waggons going on Thursday, I saw the transport-rider, and at 
once arranged with him to take me to Potchefstroom. The dis- 
tance is not great, but we shall be from one to two months on the 
way. I thought of sleeping in my little tent, but have decided to 
sleep under one of the waggons, as it will be drier. My bed will 
consist, first, of a layer of goats' skin, prepared with fat and 
grease to make it waterproof; next, a large waterproof sheet 
lined with wool cloth ; then over me my rug and blankets. 
November 22nd. — The waggons started from Maritzburg on the 
19th, and reached the top of the town hill that evening. Next 
morning I joined them. Some of the Christians of Maritzburg, 
with whom I enjoyed much fellowship, and from whom I received 
much kindness during my three months' stay there, came up 
the hill to say good-bye. 
The sixteen Kaffir drivers soon put the oxen and the heavy 
waggons into motion, and we were off. We hope to make eight 
to ten miles a day, without many stoppages, if the rivers are 
fordable. 
Near Escoiite^ November 28//^. — Many thanks for your kind 
letter of help and comfort. You no doubt will have heard ere 
you receive this one that I had left for Potchefstroom, en route 
for Shoshong, Bamangwato, where I shall be among some 
of my own countrymen, and shall have the best opportunity 
of learning the dialect of the Sechuana language nearest to that 
spoken by the Makalolo, and other interior tribes. I expect to 
reach Potchefstroom about Christmas-time, and may have to 
remain there a few months for waggon communication to 
Shoshong. 
We have now been seven days on the journey, and are only 
about sixty miles from Maritzburg, heavy rains and bad roads 
having kept us back. My sleeping accommodation is on the 
ground under a waggon, and with a drenching rain and then 
4° of frost, which we had for two nights when crossing the 
Karkluff hills, I found it a little trying; nevertheless I am 
increasing in bodily strength daily. I do feel cast upon God, 
and long for a more childlike spirit, so that I may be willing 
