“It certainly is the most difficult point gained,—­to command their attention, I mean,” replied Mr. S.; “after that, time and patience, with the assistance of God, will effect the rest.”

“Do you think that there are many who, if I may use the term, feel their religion?”

“Yes, many; and prove it by traveling about and sowing the seed.  There are many who not only are qualified so to do, but are incessantly laboring to bring their countrymen to God.”

“That must be very satisfactory to you.”

“It is; but what am I, and the few who labor with me, to the thousands and thousands who are here in darkness and require our aid?  There are now but three missions in all Caffreland; and there is full employment for two hundred, if they could be established.  But you must excuse me, I have to catechise the children, who are my most promising pupils.  We will meet again in the evening, for I have to preach at a neighboring village.  Strange to say, many who doubt and waver will listen to me there; but they appear to think that there is some witchcraft in the Mission church, or else are afraid to acknowledge to their companions that they have been inside of it.”

The missionary then left them, and Alexander observed—­

“I don’t know how you feel? but I assure you it has been a great pleasure to me to have found myself in this humble church, and hearing Divine service in this wild country.”

Both Swinton and Major Henderson expressed the same opinion.

“I am not afraid of being laughed at,” continued Alexander, “when I tell you that I think it most important, wherever we may be during our travels, to keep the Sabbath holy, by rest and reading the service.”

“With pleasure, as far as I am concerned, and I thank you for the proposal,” replied Swinton.

“And I am equally pleased that you have proposed it, Wilmot,” said Major Henderson; “even we may be of service to the good cause, if, as we pass through the land, the natives perceive that we respect the Sabbath as the missionary has requested them to do.  We are white men, and considered by them as superior; our example, therefore, may do good.”

The evening was passed away very agreeably with Mr. S., who was inexhaustible in his anecdotes of the Caffres.  He informed them that Hinza intended to call the next morning to receive his presents, and that he would be interpreter for them if they wished it.

Alexander, having thanked the missionary, said, “I think you mentioned, sir, that some of your brother missionaries have their wives with them.  Since you have told me so much of the precarious tenure by which you hold your ground here, and I may add your lives, I think that the wives of the missionaries must have even more to encounter than their husbands.”