THE RABAT MISSION STATION. 
37 
the usual big bell which summoned the people to 
service or to school was conspicuous. Freed slaves 
undergo the difficulties of elementary conversion and 
education at Freretown, before being passed on to Rabai, 
where they receive a plot of ground to cultivate, the 
produce of which finds a ready market among the pass¬ 
ing caravans : they do not grow rapidly rich, but all 
who are willing to work can, in this way, earn a 
modest livelihood. 
Some of the questions put to me by a mission boy 
who could speak a little English were amusing. He 
began by asking— 
“ You missionary? ” 
To which I replied, “No.” 
“ You trader? ” 
“No.” 
“ Then Avhat for you come here ? ” 
“To shoot animals.” 
He looked puzzled for a moment or two and then 
said— 
“ What for good ? ” 
I tried my best to explain we wanted their heads as 
trophies, but he only shook his own head sorrowfully, 
as though it was clear we were all perfectly mad. 
At Rabai we occupied the house of Mr. Binns, the 
resident missionary, then absent on a visiting tour. 
We expected to be detained a day or two as twenty 
of our men were missing, but fortunately they turned 
up in the course of the afternoon, with the excuse of 
having lost their way, though I believe they had pur- 
