hospitable reception which we received from the Missionaries, Messrs. Lemue and Rolland, and their kind-hearted ladies, I guessed that our sufferings on this journey were drawing to a close.

During the four days that we remained with those worthy people, we received every attention to our comforts and wants that children could expect from their parents under such circumstances; Mr. Lemue kindly supplying us from his wardrobe with everything which our distressed situation required; and when we left them they would not suffer us to fatigue our horses to Kuruman, but sent their waggons with us to that place, which is two days' journey from Mateto.

To the excellent and intelligent Missionary, the Rev. Mr. Moffat, of Kuruman and his lady, I am also under the greatest obligations for a repetition of the hospitalities that I received at Mateto, and also for sending their waggon along with me to Campbell, a distance of four long days' journey.

The improvements at Kuruman since my last visit are truly astonishing! There I found a printing-press in full activity, with a native compositor, taught by Mr. Moffat, who, you know, is an adept at everything. The Missionhouses and gardens are extremely neat, comfortable, and unassuming; but the new church is a stupendous work for the means which they have had of building it, and would do honour to any Christian community of much longer standing than the Missionary town of Kuruman. What pleased me much, both here and at Mateto, was to see large fields of yellow wheat belonging to the natives, vieing with the crops of the Missionaries, having been well cultivated and irrigated.

This is one grand step towards civilization, and, would my time permit, I could tell you many more. What a pity if Masilikatsie, or any such powerful chief, should one

day compel them to leave that delighful station! for if things go on as they have now done for some time, by allowing the Griquas to plunder not only Masilikatsie, but every one from whom they can steal a single cow, the consequence is not difficult to foresee.

When I reached Campbell, I wrote a few hurried lines to Dr. Smith, informing him of the danger of at present penetrating to the northward, as he must pass through Masilikatsie's territories before he can go to the northward of the Maloppo, except he goes by the coast of Natal, as the Kaliharry Desert will prevent his approach to the westward.

My friends are of opinion that if a full statement of my unfortunate case was laid before the Committee of the "Association," and by them submitted to Government, that something might be done which would be the means of obtaining restitution of my property, wantonly seized by the chief Masilikatsie; and insure to the "Expedition" a safe passage through his immense territories, and also put a stop to that marauding disposition of the Griquas, which must ultimately end to the disadvantage of the Colony.

With that view I have hastily drawn up the above details, as well as the want of my journal will allow, and trust that the Committee will do something in it, were it only to insure, as I have said before, a safe passage to the "Expedition."

It would be presumption in me to suggest what steps Government should take, but should they consider my misfortune, and the safety of the Expedition worthy of notice, I think a small embassy under a skilful officer, demanding restitution of my property, and protection to any other Colonist who may reach that country, would have the desired effect.

The Griqua Chief Cornelius Kok, of Campbell, said that if Government did so, he would give an escort of one hundred men. Adam Kok would, no doubt, give as many; and Waterboer, as a matter of course, would assist the Govern

ment. Besides, assistance might also be obtained from the Bechuana Chief Mahura, as the Missionaries assured me.

My case I now leave in your hands; well knowing that no exertions will be spared on your part to render every assistance in your power.

From Cornelius and Adam Kok I got two horses as far as this side of the Vaal River, and afterwards, with the aid of my own poor brutes, and some kind farmers on the road, I reached Graff-Reinet in five days, where I found it confidently reported that I had been murdered. I had been absent from home four months, and had been travelling three weeks from the time that the accident happened.

I have not heard a word about the Expedition since we parted, which a good deal surprises me; but we are anxiously looking for information every day. When you write to the Doctor, impress on his mind the necessity of having a few more horses with the Expedition, as they are absolutely necessary, not only in case of a misfortune such as mine, but for the procuring a regular supply of game. I told the Doctor this before we parted, but from a praiseworthy motive of putting the Association to as little expense as possible, he had not, when I left him, purchased a single horse.

I trust you will overlook the manifold faults of this very lengthy epistle, should you ever reach the end of it, as I was so pushed for time, that I had not time to read it over and correct it.

I remain, my dear Sir,

Your much obliged and obedient Servant,
A. G. BAIN.

To J. C. CHASE, ESQ.,

Secretary to the Association

for exploring Central Africa.

254

APPENDIX, No. 2.

Wreck of the Grosvenor East Indiaman-An Expedition leaves the Colony in search of the survivors of the Wreck-Discover a party of Mulattoes, descendants of Europeans wrecked on the coast of Caffer-land about twenty years previous to the loss of that vessel-Rev. W. Shaw visits these people in 1828.

THE Grosvenor, East Indiaman, Captain Coxon, commander, was wrecked on the coast of Caffraria on the 4th of August, 1782.* Several of the crew perished in attempting to gain the land, but the greater part were saved on a fragment of the wreck which drifted ashore. Those who escaped, amounting to one hundred and twenty-seven persons, among whom were three ladies, six children, and several gentlemen, passengers, set forward, August 7th, with the intention of travelling by land to the Cape of Good Hope, but being ignorant of the distance, and without provisions or guides to conduct them, they were bewildered in the trackless and inhospitable wastes, and it is feared were destroyed by the natives, or died of hunger and fatigue, excepting eight seamen, and one black woman-servant, who, after having experienced the most unparalleled distress for near four months, at length providentially succeeded in reaching the Cape. In 1796, the ship Hercules," an American vessel, Captain Stout, commander, was wrecked on the same coast, and the natives informed the Captain, that Captain Coxon of the Grosvenor, and the men with him, were slain in resisting the will of a Caffer Chief, who insisted on taking the two white ladies to his kraal. The Captain and his party, not being armed, were immediately destroyed. "The fate

* The accompanying plate of the wreck of the Grosvenor is from a painting by Smirke, published in 1784.