On approaching a military town called Issiclebăni, the whole male population turned out, formed on the hill, and soon after descended with an impetuous charge to within about two hundred yards of the advancing line; on which both halted, and shouts of welcome resounded from the Issiclebăni people, closely compacted in mélé order. Dingarn was at this time seated under the shade of a spreading mimosa, with Marquillana, his favorite dog, at his fect, and witnessing the stately walking and trotting of some of the principal ladies, who had come out to greet him. The troops of both towns soon after assembled on the top of the hill to await his arrival. Among these ladies of rank was his own sister, who, on approaching, kissed his hand, and then joined her companions, who were slowly moving backwards and forwards on the same line, in order to exhibit to the best advantage a long skin petticoat, of the blackest dye, studded round the waist with brass knobs, and furnished on each side with a long lappet, which trained upon the ground behind. The motion of the feet, half walk, half trot, gives the idea of wading through an opposite current of water, while the shoulders are alternately advanced and the bent elbow moved up and down in so constrained and inelegant a manner, that I never could regard these gauche manœuvres, though evidently intended to please, with any tolerable degree of composure. On reaching the hill on which the town is built, both parties had formed two sides of a square, and here a similar exhibi. tion took place in leaping and athletic eccentricities to that which has already been described on the arrival of Georgo. welcomed by his subjects in a similar manner. The object, however, was different, in the pre-pecting to remain beyond a night, the sum-total of sent instance, to assure their sovereign of the capacity and eagerness of each old warrior to emulate his former deeds; and certainly, if actions could speak, they must have made a most indelible impression upon his mind, Here was no speechifying, but out came a warrior with a bounce, brandishing his weapon and beating his shield, and covering as much ground in three strides as a tiger could spring, stabbing, and parrying, and retreating, and again vaulting into the ranks, with so light a foot and so rigid a muscle, that the eye had scarcely time to follow the velocity of his movements. Another and another came out, each with a peculiar step and gesture; and, while in the performance of these exploits, pointed at throughout his meteor course, as well by the king as by all his compatriots, who, by the extension of their hands and their sticks towards the individual, accompanied by the prolonged sound of the letter Z, indicated their recognition of a warrior of known and tried courage. This continued some time, when the Unkunginglove troops passed on, followed by those of Issiclebani, who escorted us about a mile from their town to the bank of a dry rivulet; when, after a few more bounces and leaps, and simultaneous shouting, they took their leave, to slaughter and devour some beef which had been presented to them by the king, a herd having accompanied our progress at some distance from the line of march. As we now proceeded along more quietly, Dingarn turned round to inquire of me whether King William often visited different parts of his country, and whether he was my baggage was a pocket-testament and a spoon, naturally calculating on procuring a mat; but even this luxury could not be obtained; and I was obliged to content myself with the solid floor for my bed, and a more solid stone by way of pillow, and that in a hut already occupied by two natives, independent of my interpreter. Having been promised an early interview with the two Indoonas in the morning (March 7th), and the actual height of the sun described at the time the intended conference should take place, I was at Umthella's hut rather before the hour appointed; but neither himself nor his colleague, who, in the crowded state of the town, were housed together, could be found. His servants informed me that they had been seen passing through the gate, intending to bathe in the river, which I believe was correct. However, in due time they were reminded of the appointment, and the long-promised meeting took place. Both Umthella and Tambooza, who were the only individuals present excepting ourselves, expressed themselves in the kindest manner, and evinced so much cordiality and willingness to forward my views, that the object appeared almost gained before the final reference had been made to the king. Apparently animated with the subject, which was discussed at full length, they themselves proposed an imme. diate adjournment to the presence of the king; but this, even to them, was not so readily gained; and to my astonishment, notwithstanding all their previous boasting, we were all kept a full half-hour waiting attendance, happily under the shade of some old trees in the centre of the area, until his majesty, at the time occupied, not like the nursery king, in "counting out his money," but in inspecting his herds of cattle, had finished his princely employment. His chair was then set beside the trunk of another tree, to which we soon after repaired; and I was called up by Dingarn to state the substance of what had just been advanced in Umthlella's hut. As these arguments will appear in the sequel, it will be unnecessary to say more than that I endeavored to explain to him, as I had frequently done before, that my only motive in visiting his country was the spiritual instruction of his people; enlarging on the blessings attendant upon Christianity, both individually and nationally; and assuring him that any intention to interfere with either their laws or their customs was the farthest removed from my thoughts, as, next to the fear of God, honor and respect to kings, and all in authority, was a prominent feature in the religion which was taught in "the book," and which I was so anxious to make known to them. To this point I met with no interruption; but here Tambooza observed that they did not wish for teaching; that they could never learn; that such words as these they were sure they could not understand. If I would instruct them in the use of the issibum (musket) I could stay, but these were things they did not care about. As neither Umthlella nor the king had as yet expressed any opinion, I strove hard to combat these objections, hoping still to neutralise this unexpected rebuff, but to no purpose: Umthlella, though he said little, supported his colleague; and both soon cut the matter short by an appeal to the king for his final decision. His reply, a masterpice of "juste milieu" policy, and I am willing to hope at varience with his better judgment, was thus expressed:-"I will not over-rule the decision of my Indoonas." As though thunder-struck, and scarcely believing my own ears, I still ventured to prolong the discussion, until reminded by the Indoonas, who, having now gained their point, were more authoritative in their manner, that the business was ended. Some messengers just at this moment arrived from the Tugala with a package from Port Natal, containing a letter from Mr. Berkin and some Graham's Town Journals. The letter I eagerly opened; but, notwithstanding all my anxiety to learn the progress of the Kafir war, I was obliged to reserve the perusal of the papers for a less public occasion, as it would otherwise have been difficult to have concealed some of the prominent facts from the cross-questioning curiosity of Dingarn; and as yet we were in total ignorance of the circumstances which had occurred since the first breaking out of hostilities. From the tenor of the letter, some parts of which it was necessary to communicate, I was enabled to assure him that wanton aggression upon British territory would never be tolerated, and that all who aided in such fruitless expeditions would be severely chastised: a result which he seemed fully prepared to regard as by no means improbable. As the object of my visit had now, at least for the present, entirely failed, I signified my intention to return forthwith to Port Natal, going back immediately for my Laggage to Unkünginglove. as the following day was Sunday, and setting out on my journey on Monday morning. Dingarn, who throughout had always treated me kindly, said, that I must not leave him yet; that he wished me to see the dancing which would be going on for the next twenty days, and that after that period I could return. My mind was now too much grieved to take any pleasure in these wild pastimes. I told him that it was necessary, on many accounts, that I should return, and particularly as I had the keys of the boxes which contained the remainder of the presents, which, unless opened, might spoil, and, at all events, could not be forwarded across the Tugăla until unpacked. The high road to his heart having been thus gained, no further objection was made, and having promised to postpone my walk until the evening, in order to witness a grand dance which was shortly to take place, I took my leave for the present. There were some novelties in this dance. "We must open a new path," said the inventive Dingarn, and shortly after he was escorted to the dancing-ground, without the town, by his Unkunginglove men, each bearing a large bunch of green bows in his right hand, exalted above his head, who, in conjunction with the people of another town, formed an exterior circle, while the Issiclebăni regiment occupied the ring, and danced within. The moving grove, intermingled with the bald heads, had a cheerful effect. Dingarn, although in his dancing costume, did not join the lists, but contented himself with witnessing the feats performed by the three regiments assembled, the Undunginglove, Imbelli-belli, and the Issiclebăni, who each took their turns in the ring. It was altogether a most animating sight; crowds of spectators were collected, and groups of women, with children on their backs, were seen taking advantage of every rock and rising ground, to peep over the heads of the bystanders; even the trees were garnished with boys, who were more than once disturbed on their roost by an order from some of the Indoonas. There could not have been less than 4000 or 5000 people on the ground. A variety was also observed in the dress of the Imbelli-belli men; if a collection of skin streamers, like the tails of a lady's "boa" attatched to a thin waist-cord, deserves the name, but which, in fact, is the nearest approach to a habiliment which a Zoolu ever deigns to wear. In this instance, and expressly for the occasion, the short cottony fibre of a root was substituted, at least behind, and twisted into thick ropy pendants, with the ends hanging loose like a tassel below, which had a good effect, eight or nine of these tails forming a dress. But before the whole was ended, a thunder storm, attended with heavy rain, cut short the amusements, and all were obliged to leave the ground, and return for shelter to the town. As soon as it cleared up a little, I took a formal leave of Dingarn, who called his people around to show me how they could eat tough beef, asking, If that was the manner in which English soldiers received their meat? He then said, that I must come and see him again; that I could build at Port Natal, and teach the people there. Still, re, luctant to leave him without some distant prospect These bows had never been carried before. of success, I told him that I hoped he would soon alter the word he had spoken, and that whenever he wished a teacher for his people, he must send me a message to Port Natal. It was late before we reached Unkunginglove that evening, and early on Monday, the 9th, the bearers appointed by Dingarn to convey my baggage were in advance, and I found myself reluctantly leaving the town, now almost deserted of its inhabitants, and where I had fondly hoped that some progress in Christian instruction would ere this have been effected. But well it is for us, that God's ways are not our ways; by such disappointments he not only proves and prepares the instruments by whom he often deigns to work, but shows us that his purposes will ripen and unfold without their aid. I felt much comfort in repeating those beautiful lines of Cowper Wait for His seasonable aid, The promise may be long delayed, So satisfied did I feel of a favorable result to my request, that the horse had actually been sent off; a long walk of three days was therefore before me, in which, exclusive of fording the rivers, we averaged about thirty miles in each. The following, which is the only scrap remaining of my lost Journal, I should perhaps apologise for inserting, but, as it will give some idea of my spacious apartment in the Zoolu capital, may not be here altogether out of place. The solid ground my softest bed, The homely lizard harmless crept Such was my humble Zoolu home, And memory paints thee yet; While life shall last, where'er I roam, That hut I'll ne'er forget. In the course of the first day's journey we met some messengers hastening towards Unkunging. love with intelligence of the sickness of an influential Indoona residing at some distance. They informed me that they were proceeding directly to the king, who, on being made accquainted with the nature of his disorder, would send down such medicine as he thought proper. This I am made acquainted with the ailments of all his printold is the usual practice. Dingarn expects to be the case is then referred to the doctors residing in cipal people; when any danger is apprehended, the capital, and, according to their advice, medicine is forwarded to the patient, who, whether it agree or not, is obliged to take it. The state of my wardrobe at this time but too well corresponded with my lodging, and it was only by tying the remains of my shoes to my feet that I was enabled to retain the advantage of a sole, until we reached the Tugala, when, to my no small gratification and surprise, our reiterated shouts for the boat were at length answered by my friend Mr. Berkin, whom I soon perceived anxiously waiting on the rocks for my arrival on the opposite bank. Our meeting here was not, indeed, altogether unexpected, as in the note received at Imbelli-belli he had signified his intention of paying me a visit at Unkunginglove, in company with Mr. Collis, who was at that time about to take his annual lected by Dingarn, who keeps this description of journey, to purhase the ivory which had been coltrade entirely in his own hands. So anxious was my friend to render his advice and assistance in my present circumstances, that he at once gave up the prosecution of a trip which had previously excited much of his curiosity and interest, and insisted on accompanying me back to Port Natal, where we arrived on Saturday, the 14th, with one of the wagons he had so kindly conducted from the Umzimvoobo. "There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which he promised."-1 KINGS viii. 56. Firm is the Rock in Zion laid, No word He's uttered shall be void, Although from its position and maritime intercourse with the Cape Colony, this port must ever be regarded as the key, not only to the Zoolu country, but likewise to a very considerable portion of the interior districts on this side of the continent; there were many objections to its being selected at this time, as the seat of a missionary establishment, which it will not now be necessary to state; but at the same time I feel it not less a duty than a pleasing gratification to attribute the removal, and softening down of many of these difficulties, to the kind and unsolicited interference of my valued friend Mr. Berkin, who, during the few days which he remained here, prior to his recent journey to the Tugala, lost no opportunity of ascertaining the general feeling on this subject, in the event of my failure with Dingarn, and strongly recommended me to accede to the apparent wishes of the community. Having given the matter full consideration, a reply was forwarded in the following terms, PORT NATAL, March, 16th, 1835. GENTLEMEN, The kind manner in which you have expressed your desire for a Missionary to be established at Natal, and the readiness with which you have pledged yourselves to support him in his endeavors to inculcate true religion, throw open so wide a door for usefulness, that, independent of my own inclination, I feel it would not be consistent with my duty to decline your invitation to remain among you. If you will, therefore, accept my personal services, they are most cheerfully offered until the necessary buildings are completed, and arrangements can be made for a clergyman of the church of England to occupy this important station. That these mutual endeavors for the temporal and spiritual welfare of immortal souls may be blessed with abundant success from the God of all grace is my ardent prayer; and I trust that the character and conduct of all those who may be engaged in this work will always bear the strictest scrutiny, and uphold an example which may correspond with the divine truths they posfess to teach. I am, gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, "ALLEN F. GARDINER." To the English Residents at Port Natal. A few notices from a brief missionary journal, kept about this time, will be sufficient in this place to continue the thread of the narrative. Sunday, March 15th, forenoon.-English service under the trees, at Mr. Berkin's.-Thirteen Europeans present. Afternoon,-Kafir service.-One hundred and fifty natives. Thursday 19th.-Selected a site for the missionary premises, with a tract of land surrounding it on the north-east side of the bay, upon a hill commanding an extensive prospect. Friday 20th.-Took formal possession of the land which was secured to me by an agreement signed by all the white inhabitants; decided on naming the missionary establishment "Berea,' since, notwithstanding my ill success with Din-me, at a spot nearer the bay, which he had se. garn, the word has here been gladly received. Sunday 22d.-The principal settlers had intended to have sent all their people to the afternoon service, in order that I might form an estimate of the black population and address them; but they were prevented from assembling by the heavy rain. Morning-English service in my hut. Afternoon.—Kafirs in front of the tent.-Sixty natives attended notwithstanding the rain. Tuesday 24th. - Great meeting-the people assemble at Mr. Berkin's-stood under the shade of a high tree, and addressed them, as they sat round, on the object of forming a mission among them the nature of true religion-what it was proposed to do for them, and what would be expected from them-such as attendance on public worship sending their children to the school setting a good example in their families-not to be hasty in judging of what they do not understand, but to hear often, and to ask for explanations, which would at all times be readily given. Many women brought their infants-there were at at least six hundred adults, and a great many children. The attention they gave was very encouraging, and their whole conduct exceedingly orderly. They arrived in distinct companies, the people of each white chief coming up, and continuing together; and in the same order they moved off with the greatest regularity, the men preceding the women, as is always customary in this country. Wednesday 25th.-Commenced the school in the tent, with two girls and four boys. Gave each a piece of printed calico, that they might appear decently dressed. have been sent, but the parents, I understand, have an idea that it is my intention to take them away with me. More children would Such was the feeble commencement of this infant mission—a day, indeed, of small things; but, blessed be God, we are but His instruments, and though without him we can do nothing, when He Vouchsafes to bless His own work it will prosper. To delve and to plough, and to cast in the seed, is ours; but, though Paul may preach and Apollos may water, to God alone must we look for the increase, and in his own good time, if we faint not, it will doubtless appear. With these occupations my time was now fully employed. The prejudice respecting the schools soon passed over; but still I did not more than double the number, having at that time but little accommodation; and considering that it would be far better to train a few in the first instance, to act as monitors in a larger school, than to commence on a more extended plan. Although I had already entered into a contract for the necessary buildings at Berea, (a schoolhouse, to be used also as a church, and two dwelling-houses,) and some huts, on the native plan, were also constructing for my accommodation, I was (until the completion of the latter) still living in a hut, which Mr. Berkin had kindly offered lected for his own residence, and where he was engaged in clearing the ground, and erecting some temporary buildings. About this time there was a prevailing rumor that the Zoolus were meditating an attack upon the settlement; and so much credit was given to the report, that we recommended a general meeting of the white inhabitants, to consult upon some plan for mutual assistance in the event of their approach; but so little had any to lose, and so accustomed were they to similar intelligence, that they affected to regard the matter as a casualty to which they had often been exposed, and coolly signified their intention to take the "bush," should the necessity arise. Our present necessity of tenanting bee-hive houses, of sitting upon our boxes, and enduring either the bites of musquitoes, or inhaling the smoke, which alone would exclude them, was certainly not from any decided predilection to such a mode of life, but still infinitely superior to the bush system proposed (a sudden nomadic retreat to the woods to escape the Zoolu spear!)-we therefore turned our thoughts to some other method of protection. But two plans remainedeither to abandon, or to defend the place; and, circumstanced as we now were, we had no hesitation in adopting the latter. The ground was immediately marked out; a party of natives engaged; and in a very short time a sufficient stockade was erected round a wattled house (which Mr. Berkin was then building,) for the protection of the whole settlement, should they prefer this alternative to their favorite one of "bushing it." In this position matters stood on the arrival of the Circe trading sloop from Algoa Bay, and by which Mr. Berkin decided on returning to the colony, for the purpose of purchasing stock and supplies for the farming establishment which he had already commenced, with the intention of returning and making this his future residence. By this time the huts at Berea were completed; and as they were more commodious than those he had hitherto inhabited, my friend spent the last day with me there previous to his embarkation, and attended the first services which were held at the mission station, on Sunday, March 19th. I took leave of him before day-light the following morning. By eight o'clock the sloop was under weigh, and with no ordinary feelings did I wateh her progress, until concealed by the intervening land; little supposing at the time that I had taken my last farewell of my kind and valued friend! As a precaution in the event of an attack from the Zoolus, my journals had been forwarded by this opportunity to my agents in Cape Town; but as no account has been since heard of the sloop, there can be but one opinion respecting her fate. Description of Port Natal.-The entrance to the port is narrow, but it immediately expands into a beautiful sheet of water, of nearly an oval shape, having a low island near the upper end, and exhibiting from the neighboring heights all the peculiar characteristics of lake scenery. Both the island and the banks of the bay are covered with mangrove-trees, the wood of which has been |