LETTER FROM MR. SCHMELEN. 581 
When I heard of this, 1 went to the abode of Africaner, 
in order to reason with him^ and if possible to restore peace ; 
but before I reached his kraal, he had left home for several 
days, and circumstances would not allow me to follow him. 
" 1 have received a letter from brother Helm, stating that 
he wishes to remove from his present station, on account of 
the extreme heat of the place, which is injurious to his 
health ; and desiring me to find a place more airy, and nearer 
the sea. I have written to him, that if he continued in the 
same mind, he might commence a mission near the mouth of 
the Great River, to which I presumed brother Read and the 
Directors would have no objection. If brother Helm should 
decline this proposal, some other missionary should be sent 
thither by the first opportunity. Two more missionaries are 
requisite for the Chiefs, Tsaumap, Tsaugamap, and Karra- 
map, whom 1 have seen and conversed with. They are 
very desirous of being instructed, and are now on their way 
towards Morast Fountain, w hich is their own country, about 
three days' journey from hence. I have not seen the place 
myself, but have heard from those who have lived there some 
years, that it is a proper place for a missionary station. I 
think that missionaries should not be frightened away by the 
roarings of Titus Africanus, but boldly enter into the field of 
the Lord, believing that he is able to protect them from all 
danger. 
" On the 18th of May I left the Great River, continually 
travelling northward, though with great difficulty, but I was 
not able to come near the sea, on account of the mountains, 
and the scarcity of water. Sometimes I have been in a dis- 
mal wilderness for a fortnight together, without meeting 
one human creature. 1 continued travelling north as far as 
it was possible, when on the 5th of July I could proceed no 
further, and was obliged to turn my waggon southward. I 
was then entirely surrounded by wars, yet the Lord preserved 
me and my people from all danger. 
I have not seen any considerable fountain, except that 
where I now am ; but 1 have heard of some very good ones, 
in and near the Gandemmap country ; and of one river called 
Kooisip: and there must be a haven somewhere, where ships 
anchor; and the chief of the Damara country told me of an 
island near that country, where ships sometimes anchor, and 
exchange their iron for the cattle of the natives. 
I shall add the names of the several chiefs whom I have 
visited on my journey since I left Pella. David Barly lives 
at the mouth of the Great River Fieremius : 
