Robert Moffat / The Missionary Hero of Kuruman

med Ann. At that time the Batlaping were thoroughly indifferent to th

etsi, whose chief was Makaba, dwelling about two hundred miles to the n

ple, and also with the view of paying his contemplated visit to Makaba, Moffat resolved upon undertaking a journey to that chief. He was also influenced by the desire to open up a friendly intercourse with so powerful, and it might be dangerous

erse to the undertaking, and threw all possible obstacles in its path, short of actual armed resistance. His peo

miles distant from Lattakoo, he learned that the invaders had attacked a Bechwana tribe, the Barolongs, at Kunuana, ab

ere they remained two days, and then prepared to continue their journey to the Bangwaketsi. Just as they were about to start, however, they ascertain

gave a circumstantial account of the information he had gathered. The enemy were a numerous and powerful body, they had destroyed many towns of the

ew minutes. Then Mothibi, in the name of the assembly, said he was exceedingly thankful that thei

f the Griquas, volunteering to proceed to Griqua Town to give information and procure assistance. The chief at that place was one Andries Waterboer, who had been educ

to come to the assistance of the Bechwanas as soon as he c

. The Griqua force consisted of about one hundred horsemen, armed with guns, and it being reported that there were white men among the invaders, Moffat was asked to

enting a further effusion of blood was asked, and if recourse to violent measures became nec

night among some trees. At day-light they proceeded until they came in sight of the enemy. These were divided into two parties, one holding a town, out of which they had driven the inhabitants, and the other lying on th

ent with a message to her people that the strangers wanted to speak with them and not to fight. An old man and a lad were also found dying of starvation, these were helped and talke

er Griqua chiefs, to see if some means could be devised of preventing the dreadful consequences of battle. One of the Griqua chiefs, named Corneli

them and bring them to a conference. The Mantatees rushed forward with a terrible howl, throwing their war clubs and javelins. The rushes becoming dangerous, Waterboer and his pa

y's position. The latter gave way and fled, at first westward, but being intercepted, they turned towards the town. Here a desperate s

of these fierce warriors, however, turned upon them, and the whole body scampered off in wild disorder. But as soon as these cowards saw that the Mantatees had retired, they rus

turned his attention to these objects of pity, who were fleeing in all directions. Galloping in among them, many of the Bechwanas were deterred from their barbarous purpose, and the women, seeing that mercy was shown them, sat down

, through which he could escape at full gallop. Right in the middle of this passage there rose up before him a man who had been shot, but who had collected his strength, and, weapon in hand

probability have advanced to the borders of the Colony, and being driven back, would have perished miserably, men, women, and children, either of starva

hat the Mantatees might make a descent upon the place after the Griquas had left. At one time the prospect was so ominous that the missionary band, with their wives and children, after burying their proper

eir welfare, at a time when they might with ease and little loss of property have r

Advantage was therefore taken of the present favourable impression, made upon the minds of Mothibi and his people, to obtain a site for a new station. A place eight miles distant, about three miles below the Kuruman fountain, where the river of that name had its source, was examined and found to offer better advantages for a missionary st

in the further chronicle of e

ed in health considerably, and to confer personally with Dr. Philip about the removal of the station. Mothibi having been anxious that his son, Pecl

re each and all objects of wonder; and when they saw a boy mount the rigging and ascend to the masthead, their astonishment was complete. Turning to the young prince, Taisho whispered, "Ah ga si khatla?" (Is it not an ape?) "Do these water-houses (ships) unyoke like wag

ee new missionaries intended for the Bechwana station. Of these, however, one only and his wife

Robert and Mary Moffat reached Lattakoo in safety. They had left Mr. and Mrs. Hughes at Griqua Town, where they were to remain for