354 
ACCOUNT OF MANKAI. 
Alankai, himself, was six months in recovering from his 
wound. During his illness, a Hottentot who had been 
at the Missionary Institution, called and spoke to him 
of God who made the Heavens and the Earth ; but he 
was not able to understand the subject, and only laughed 
at the Hottentot, saying he certainly had some con- 
nexion with the Devil who made him say such things ; 
notwithstanding this ridicule, the benevoleint Hottentot 
persisted in admonishing him, and assured him that, if he 
ever became acquainted with God, he would be ashamed 
of what he had said. 
The Missionaries at Bethelsdorp being much spoken 
of, he felt a desire to hear what they had to say, and 
Congo, a Caffre chief, happening to be going there on a 
visit, he went with him. Hearing a bell ring the next 
morning after their arrival, and observing the people 
assembling together, he supposed they were going to 
receive beads from the Missionaries, which induced him 
to accompany them. He then heard, for the first time, 
much said about the evil nature of sin, and the punish- 
ment it deserved, and would certainly receive, if pardon 
were not obtained in this life. He supposed every thing 
said by the preacher was intended for himself, which made 
him both sorry and afraid. A Caffre, who sat at his 
side during the address of the Missionary, asked him if 
the speaker was counting numbers. To whom Mankai 
replied, that if he felt like himself he would not think 
so. 
On returning home with the Caffres, he had so great a 
desire after more instruction, that he told Congo he must 
return to Bethelsdorp. On his way thither a boor in- 
formed him there was a law to prevent such persons as 
he was from joining the Institution, which induced 
Mankai to enter his service, and afterwards into that of 
other boors ; but his mind continued unhappy till he 
met with a converted Hottentot, reading the Bible to a 
group of other Hottentots, and exhorting them to believe 
