134 
Seven Years in Central Africa. [July, 
LEAVE BENGUELLA FOR GARENGANZE. 
On the 3rd June I left Benguella, and the journey from the 
coast to Bailundu was uneventful. There I met with a native 
trader, who was able to give me a few more particulars concerning 
the Garenganze country. The capital he described as extending over 
eight miles, and he confirmed what I had heard as to food being 
plentiful. My heart is full of confidence in Him who can so 
persuade that none can dissuade. 
Delays again occurred at Bailundu, and porters had to be 
changed. Time was not lost, however, for I profited not a little 
in the company of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, who assisted me in my 
studies of the Umbundu language. 
From Bailundu I wrote thus to a friend on the matter of 
delays and vexations peculiar to life and travel in Africa : 
July ^th, 1885. — It is now a year since I came west to these 
parts. Then I hoped, loftg ere this, to have been back again in 
the interior, but even yet my steps are slow. Does this not make 
pla7is seem very feeble and uncertain things ? How slow we are 
in learning that " the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to 
the strong ! " Until the later walks of life are reached, few on 
earth seem to learn much of Proverbs xvi. 9, "A man's heart 
deviseth his way ; but God directeth his steps." 
As to the future, if the Lord should direct any brother to come 
out and join me, it would entirely change my outlook ; for instead 
of thinking of returning to England, I should consider it my 
glorious privilege to settle down at once in the interior. If the 
right man is forthcoming, let him proceed to Bihe next year, 
leaving Europe in May or June, after having learned something 
of Portuguese, if possible at Lisbon. Should it be advisable, I 
would not grudge going out as far as Bihe with a caravan of 
Garenganze men, and would expect him to be ready to start off 
without any delay, unless it wxre to go down to the coast for a 
supply of trade articles. But if I could get one or two careful 
old natives to do this service, I should think it best not to leave 
the field, but would send written instructions as to the articles 
needed. Mr. Sanders has promised to give every assistance, 
and is willing to see any brother across the Quanza river. Though 
willing to adopt either course, I incline to the latter ; if two could 
come together from home, so much the better. I shall not be 
