whose testimony may therefore be regarded as altogether unexceptionable, and entitled to implicit confidence :

"The schooner Emily' sailed from Bay of Islands 3rd February for Sunday Island, and on arrival there found a large barque at anchor. On the captain of the schooner landing, he saw a number of natives that he knew to come from Duke of York and Duke of Clarence Islands, and, as he could speak their language, they told him how that the barque had visited their islands, and that the captain and crew, well armed, landed in their boats, drove all the people down to the beach at the point of the bayonet, took every man, old and young, that had any strength, and took them on board the ship, leaving none on the two islands but a few old white-headed men and some women and children. The islands are almost depopulated. There were a number of natives from Savage Island on board, as well as from Manikie, Danger, Easter, and other islands. There were about twenty-five women and forty children taken off Easter Island. When the slaver made Danger Island, the Missionary ashore sent a canoe off to know what vessel it was, and to obtain information. On the canoe coming alongside, both it and the man were hoisted on board; the latter was put below the hatches, and the former broken up for fire-wood. The object of the slaver visiting Sunday Island was to try and restore the health of his cargo, which must have been very numerous, as 300 or more of men, women, and children, that were in a dying state owing to their crowded condition, were landed in a most deplorable plight. They were so emaciated and feeble that they could not stand, some not able to crawl. The first launch-load that was landed consisted of fiftythree men; only three could stand of the number, three were found dead on the launch reaching the beach, and the residue were hauled out of the boat in the roughest manner to be conceived, and thrown on the beach-some beyond the surf, and others in it. Several were drowned where they were thrown, and eighty died immediately after being landed. Some, not having strength to crawl beyond the reach of the tide, were drowned. As soon as some of the others gained a little strength, and were able to move about, they eat almost anything that came in their reach, and the consequence was that diarrhoea, flux, and cramp seized them and carried them off in numbers. The dead bodies were buried on the beach in the sand, and when the tide rose and the surf set in all the bodies were disinterred, and strewed all over the beach, and allowed to remain as the tide left them. On the 19th April a considerable number of the people had partially recovered and were able to walk about. Many of them intended to start for the high land just before the sailing of the barque, and hide themselves, which they can do, as the island is favourable for that purpose. The slaver is a beautiful-looking vessel, of about 400 tons measurement, and is remarkably fast in her sailing qualities. She has various names, flies a variety of flags, and is well armed. The captain and the greater part of the officers are Spaniards. Her crew is well appointed; beside petty officers, there are twenty men of various nations before the mast. When lying at anchor at Sunday Island, and when a portion of the ship's crew were on shore on duty, there was a well-organized system of signalling carried on all the time by those on shore, and the ship. They were continually on the alert. If a sail hove in sight, which was occasionally, as whale ships have been accustomed for years to get supplies there, they immediately got under way. Every time the captain landed he was armed with a gun, revolvers, and bowie knife. Everything that was on the island,

listen to the lowing of the Bamangwato cattle, and the bleating of their sheep, that they might destroy his warriors and cut off his own children. Filled with rage, he issued the dreadful order to his army that they were not to see his face till they had destroyed Mahuku and Kirekilwe, and every one belonging to them. This order was carried out in the spirit in which it was given. The Matebeles made their appearance in the neighbourhood of Mahuku's town, and sent for the two brothers, professedly to receive the cattle, sheep, and goats, which Moselekatse was to intrust to their care. At the same time the Matebele messengers were directed to stay in the town, and by friendly conversation remove all suspicion from the minds of their intended victims. The plan succeeded. Mahuku was in the habit of herding Moselekatse's cattle; and perhaps he had special reason to hope that some of the fruits of this raid would fall to his share. Indeed, so entirely were the Bechuana thrown off their guard, that several young men followed their chief, hoping to be 'treated' by their balekane, or comrades, among the Matebele. In the forenoon of that day, the women working in Mahuku's gardens heard a dreadful noise in the camp of the Matebele; sounds were borne to their ears so like the cries of the dying and the shouts of their murderers, that they hurried home to give the alarm. Finding, however, the party of Matebele still sitting in the public court in friendly intercourse with such of the men as had remained at home, they contented themselves, although not without misgivings, by whispering their fears to some of their friends. No heed was given to what they said. They were told that they had heard nothing but the sounds of rejoicing, mingled with the lowing of the Bamangwato cattle, and the bleating of their sheep and goats. In the meantime the doomed chiefs and their followers had entered the camp of the Matebele with most unsuspecting confidence, and been received with protestations of friendship. When fairly in their power, however, the Machaga sprang on their victims as tigers on their prey; and not one escaped. It is stated that the Matebele were so enraged with Kirekilwe, that they did not kill him outright, but hacked off his hands and feet, and left him thus on the ground, to pine in anguish, or to be torn to pieces by wild beasts. Thus far successful, the savages made for the town, surrounded it, and, giving the signal to those within to rise on their hosts, received on their spears all who endeavoured to escape from their treacherous murderers. Only young women and boys and girls were spared. Amongst this number were two Bamangwate women, who had left Kirekilwe and his followers. It was from their lips that we received the first detailed account of this revolting transaction. Spared from the death which had been the portion of so many, these women strove to gain the confidence of their captors, and soon succeeded in doing so. Having fulfilled the command of their chief, the Matebele despatched a messenger to the capital with the intelligence, who, on his return, would acquaint them with the further wishes of the king. In the interval, the Matebele coolly occupied the houses, and ate the fruit of the gardens of those whose remains were strewed around them. One act-the crowning one in this dreadful story-remains to be told. They stripped the dead of the scanty clothing usually worn by heathen Bechuana, and therewith mannfactured cinctures, after the Matebele fashion, for the surviving children! (Thus the boy would wear, and have constantly before his eyes, the clothing of his own father, which he had seen torn from his mangled remains!) Surely such an act gave exquisite pleasure to him who has said to evil 'Be thou my good;' for it is

purely and intensely devilish! At length the order arrived from the chief to advance, but the night before they were to commence their march the two Bamangwato women contrived to make their escape. While they served their captors with feigned alacrity, they eagerly looked for indications that some of their friends had escaped; but, alas! the evidence was on the other side. They saw in the hands of the Matebele skins or ornaments belonging to every one whom they knew in the town, the only exception being a son of Mahuku, who it is just possible may have escaped.

RETALIATION-MATEBELE CATTLE STOLEN BY THE BAMANGWATO.

"About a fortnight after the departure of the Matebele, Sekomi organized and secretly despatched a party of his best men, to 'lift' the Matebele cattle from posts lying to the S.E. of the Matebele country. Of course it was a dangerous expedition, it being very easy for the Matebele to intercept them on their return. They relied on being out of the reach of the Matebele before the army of the latter, which they knew had been sent for a time to the N.W. of Moselekatse's country, could be led against them. And in this hope they were not disappointed. Some three days ago they arrived with the oxen of two large Matebele posts, and a drove of sheep and goats. The chief kept this business a secret from me, as also from Khame; it being given out that the party had gone to collect the Bushmen who had been scattered by the Matebele. On the arrival of the party, Sekomi, who was ashamed to come himself, sent Khame, with the message that he knew I should blame him; but that he wished to obtain something in place of the cattle, &c., which the Matebele had stolen from him. Khame, who was baptized by Mr. Schulenborg, and is a very promising young man, refused what must have been to him a most tempting present, in the shape of a handsome number of stolen cattle. He told his father that, had he been consulted, and had given his consent to the expedition, he would have accepted of the cattle without any scruple; but that he was no longer a child, and would not be appeased for having been treated as such by a present of cattle. Should you continue,' said Khame, 'to wage war without my consent or knowledge, you will find some day that you will have to fight it out yourself; for I will fight only in a righteous war.' I was much pleased by this firmness on the part of Khame, who is a most obedient son in other respects. Indeed, in the midst of war and tumult, the work of instruction has gone on steadily, There is a good attendance at school, and the Sabbath congregations are increasing in number.

DARKENED PROSPECT OF MISSION TO THE MAKOLOLO.

"In summing up a communication which I write with feelings of keen disappointment a disappointment which I know will be shared by the Directors and friends of the Society-I would briefly indicate the effects which are likely to be produced on missionary operations by the resumption of a warlike policy by Moselekatse.

"So far as one can see at present, it is not likely to affect the position of our brethren at the Matebele. Although anxious to hear from them, having received no letter since November, we hear, from the Makalaka already referred to, that when their friends came home from weeding the distant gardens of Moselekatse, the missionaries were quite well. This would be about January or February.

"In connexion with the Makololo Mission, the Directors will observe that a tribe has been attacked by the Matebele, with which Missionaries were well known to

reside. Indeed, Moselekatse and his warriors had good reason to believe that a daughter of Mr. Moffat was resident amongst the people, whose cattle they stole, and whose town fear alone kept them from attempting to destroy. We may argue, therefore, that if Moselekatse would attack the Bamangwato under such circumstances, there is a moral certainty that as soon as the Makololo left the impregnable country of Linyanti, their inveterate enemy would seize the first opportunity to avenge his men, who were treacherously left to perish on an island, by boatmen in the interest of the Makololo. The question then to be considered is, not only whether the likelihood of an attack by the Matebele on the Makololo should deter a missionary from proceeding to instruct the latter; but whether, in face of what has now hap pened at the Bamangwato, he would be warranted in inducing the Makololo to remove from a place of security into the teeth of enemies who have an old grudge against them, and who would not be deterred from taking their revenge by the presence of a missionary. Of course it is evident that, in the event of such an attack, both missionary and his message would be very unpopular among the Makololo. Were the Makololo now residing at Tabacuen, or any other situation sanctioned by the Society as suitable for a station; or were they, notwithstanding what has taken place, to agree to remove thither of their own accord, I should be quite willing to become their missionary, for my position would then be only what it is now : I should be residing among a people who were in danger of being attacked by the Matebele. What I shrink from-and what I am persuaded the Directors will shrink from-is the responsibility of the political act of removing the tribe of the Makololo into a position in which we now feel certain they would be attacked by the Matebele. 'But we have not yet lost heart; if God be for us, who can be against us? "The path of the Makololo missionaries was never a very plain one: but it is cer tainly smoother now than at the beginning. The tribe seems willing to fall in with our plans. There remains but one obstacle, and God will remove it also; and the agents of the London Missionary Society will yet, I trust, date their communications from the north bank of the Zambesi. In the meantime, and especially should the Bamangwato and Bakwena stations come into the Society's hands, your agency will need to be reinforced; so that one or two might be able to take advantage of a favourable turn of events in the interior, without sacrificing the interests of any station already in occupation.

"It will be necessary to communicate this season with the Makololo; who, but for this war, would be expecting us with our families, to fulfil our expressed intention of taking up our residence among them at Tabacuen, or some other suitable locality. I should like to visit them personally, as also the tract of country supposed to be suitable for the establishment of a Mission Station. Of course, should I undertake such a journey, I should leave Mrs. McKenzie and the children at this Station, on account of the present disturbed state of the country. I shall be able to come to a decision on the return of Mr. Price, who is likely to be accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. John Moffat. We have just received the sad intelligence that God's afflicting hand has been for the third time laid on our dear Brother Price's family, and that his little child has been taken from him.

"REV. DR. TIDMAN."

"Believe me, ever yours truly,

"JOHN MCKENZIE.

DECEASE OF MISSIONARIES.

WITHIN a very short period, six of our devoted missionary agents, some in the spring time of their career, and others veterans in the service, have exchanged the toils of earth for the rest and blessedness of heaven. Of these, the deaths of three were recorded in our October number; and it is now our mournful duty to add to the list the names of three others, of whose departure we have since received intelligence.

DEATH OF REV. W. ROSS, OF LEKATLONG, SOUTH AFRICA. THE REV. WM. Ross, late of LEKATLONG, SOUTH AFRICA, after suffering from a severe and protracted attack of dysentery, expired peacefully in the bosom of his family on the 30th July.

Our esteemed Brother left England at the latter end of 1840, and reached Kuruman, in the Bechuana country, in July of the following year. After labouring at that station until January, 1844, he commenced a mission among the Bamanguaketze, at Touns, on the Kolong River. Thence he removed, in 1846, to Mamusa, and in 1851 to Griqua Town, where he remained until August, 1855, when he removed to Lekatlong to co-operate with Mr. Helmore, and on the lamented death of the latter, in April, 1860, he succeeded to the sole charge of the station. Mr. Ross approved himself a faithful, zealous, and laborious missionary.

LETTER FROM REV. ROBERT MOFFAT.

"Kuruman (S. Africa), 20th August, 1863. "MY DEAR BROTHER,-It is probable that you will hear, through the Rev. W. Thompson, before receiving this, that our brother and fellow-labourer, Mr. Ross, of Lekatlong, is no more with us. He expired on the evening of the 30th ult. Having heard that he had been suffering from a severe attack of dysentery, I left this on the 14th, and on the fourth day after was with him. I found him sitting up, and considerably altered in appearance. After expressing the great pleasure he felt on seeing me, he added, 'Are you come to see me die ?' I said, 'No! but I am come to endeavour, as far as in my power, to restore you to health.' Mr. Hughes, who had been there for the same purpose, returned home the day before I arrived. Mr. Ross had now been confined almost entirely to his bed since the 1st of June, having been suffering from diarrhoea for three weeks previous. Just before Mr. Hughes left there were some favourable symptoms; but these, like others, had proved deceptive, for the morning after Mr. H.'s departure he appeared more than ever convinced that his sickness would be unto death, and calling in his younger children, spoke to them as a dying father would wish to do in the prospect of a long, long separation. After making myself fully acquainted with the case the progress and extent of the disease, I felt convinced that there was very little room left for hope. It appeared also to me that everything had been done which circumstances permitted. Mrs. Ross, who possesses a valuable share of medical skill, had been, as might be expected, unremitting in her endeavours to arrest the deadly disease. Medicines and means were had recourse to, which I had scarcely known to fail, even