At this moment a waggon was seen approaching, and fearing it might contain some one from Griqua Town, and seeing that a hostile movement was made towards it, Moffat turned to Jantye and said, “I shall not see your face till the waggon and its owners are safe on the station.”  He instantly ran off and brought the waggon through, when it was found to contain the Wesleyan missionaries Mr. and Mrs. Archbell from Platberg.

At last, after much hesitation, Paul himself came near.  He could not look at Moffat, and kept his hat drawn down over his eyes.  He told the missionary that he himself need have no fear, but that revenge should be had upon the Batlaping who were at Kuruman.

“I shall have their blood and their cattle too,” said Paul, as his eyes glared with fury.

Long and patiently Moffat argued with him, showing him the enormity of his crimes.  At last the victory was won.  No shot was fired, and both the station and the Batlaping were saved.  Turning to his men, and referring to some of the missionary’s cattle which had been stolen, he cried, “Bring back those cows and sheep we took this morning.”

It was done.  Then he said, “I am going.  There are the things of your people.  Will Mynheer not shake hands with me for once?”

“Of course I will,” said Moffat, “but let me see your face.”

“That I will not, indeed,” he replied, “I do not want to die yet.  I can see your face through my hat.”

The rude hand of war was henceforth stayed, and the land had peace for half-a-century, during which time great and happy changes took place at the Kuruman station.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VII.

THE AWAKENING.

The long delayed, and fervently prayed for time had come at last.  For ten weary years these earnest and faithful missionaries had laboured without seeing any results.  Now their hearts were to rejoice as they should witness the work of the Holy Spirit, and see those over whom they had so long mourned, brought to the Saviour, and out of heathen darkness into Gospel light.

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth;” so was it with the awakening among the Bechwanas at the Kuruman.  There seemed no apparent cause for the intensity of feeling that was now displayed by these people.  Men, who had scorned the idea of shedding a tear, wept as their hearts were melted.  The chapel became a place of weeping, and some, after gazing intently upon the preacher, fell down in hysterics.  The little chapel became too small to hold the numbers who flocked to it, and with the voluntary aid of Aaron Josephs a new building, fifty-one feet long by sixteen wide, with clay walls and thatched roof, was erected to serve as a school-house and place of worship, until the large stone church, which was to form the most prominent feature of the station, should be completed.