1885.] From Benguella to Garenganze. 139 
In the evening I was able to overtake Kasoma and the others, 
and in the dark paid off all the day-workers, got my loads 
together, and threw a sheet of waterproof canvas over them. 
I had, however, barely got under cover myself when a heavy 
storm came on, threatening to drive everything before it. The 
carriers had gone off to their villages close by for shelter, and I 
was left alone in the damp and darkness, holding on grimly to 
the flapping canvas of my tent. At last the storm abated some- 
what, and I got a few hours' undisturbed sleep before morning. 
la^th. — Marched a few miles in the same hand-to-mouth 
fashion, Kasoma and a few other men returning to Nyani for 
loads left there. 
AN OCEAN OF LAND. 
October i^ih. — Reached Kapoko's capital, which is situated on 
the eastern limit of the Bihe plateau. The valley of the Kukema 
and Quanza rivers lies at our feet, while the great interior plain 
extends like an ocean beyond. It woke in my mind a thousand 
thoughts concerning unknown countries yet to be traversed. 
It is not always good for us to see too far before at one time ; 
our capacities are small. When I lost the view of the great 
broad ocean which lies between us, as I crossed the Benguella 
hills, I breathed a deep-down farewell, and gave a long look at 
the horizon as the sun was setting. But here was an ocean of 
land and silence before me, and my heart had well nigh failed 
me ; but I remembered that God was there, and felt strengthened 
in Him, so that I was ready to say, "1 can do all things through 
Christ who strengtheneth me." Since then these words have 
been running over with comfort, " Behold, Thou art there ! " 
(Psalm cxxxix.) "Thou," whose I am, and whom I serve, my 
God, "Thou art there;" and at Thy bidding I could go even 
into the depths of the sea, "for Thou art there." 
How blessed the trust of our holy Lord in those words, 
"Thou wilt not leave My soul in hades." The chief priests, 
mocking, said, " He trusted in God : let Him deliver Him now." 
But resting in the God of resurrection. He said, " I tviil put My 
trust in Him." 
It is the bidding of God that Christ should be preached in 
these far-off parts. I give myself to Him for His work. I know 
He accepts me for Africa, so that whether I live or die the 
