Buys, Frederick * ?, ? † . During this month, Frederick Buys, one of our class leaders, of Dutch and native descent, a very intelligent and pious man, informed me of a party of Bushmen who had located themselves with some of our people at a place called Klip Hoek, forty-three miles to the southeast of the station. He had several times visited them from his own place of abode, and was so much interested in their case, that he came to offer to go with his family and live with them, to establish a school, and endeavour to keep up religious services. I agreed that he should HARD AT WORK. 175 make the attempt, and in a week or two he and his family were on the spot endeavouring to benefit these wild sons of the desert. In fulfilment of a promise made at the time, I left home on Xovember the 2nd for the purpose of visiting this interesting community. Myself and companion left home on horseback as soon as the sun rose, and had a distressing journey, the sun being insufferably hot, and the atmosphere, loaded with electricity, being extremely oppressive. In vain we looked for the shade of some tree or shrub ; for several hours nothing was to be seen in the vast gOrassvy Ap. lain that could offer the least protection from the burning rays of the sun, till at last we descried, about a mile to the left, two trees, that, owing to the refracting power of the atmosphere, looked large, and as if they would offer a grateful shade. Reluctant to move a foot out of our path, we were nevertheless compelled by the killing heat, and cantered up to the nearest, which proved much less on our arrival than it had seemed in the distance. Wild animals by multitudes had evidently made it a refuge as we now did, for the sand all round was covered with zand-luizen, as the people call them, a species of tick, and other biting insects. There was no remedy, however : so, scraping away the sand and vermin with our feet, we crept under the low branches, for tKere was no room to sit erect, and lay down with our heads on our saddles. Kcarly suffocated with heat, and overrun with vermin, I started up and ran to the tree beyond, when out sprang a poor jackal and fled at my approach. This was no better than the other situation, but AVO forced ourselves to remain for an hour or two. We anxiously sought for 176 CHAPTER III. water amongst some rocks near, in the hollows of which we hoped a little might remain from the last rains, but found none. At length we caught and saddled our horses and started, but the fiery air and burning sun absolutely beat us back to our shelter, where for another hour we reclined with bridle in hand, drawing the heads of our poor horses as far into the shade as they could get without trampling upon us. Nature's grand electric batteries, the massive thunder clouds, were piling themselves up higher and higher in huge majesty around the horizon, which accounted for the unbearable oppressiveness of the atmosphere ; but again, as with desperation, we went forth to encounter the dreadful heat, fearful lest the night should set in upon us before we found the obscure spot to which we were going, and concerning the position of which we had very vague directions. Just at sunset we reached the place, with bloodshot eyes, blistered lips, fevered frame, and completely exhausted, having had no water, and, with the exception named, no shade during the whole day. Two or three vessels of milk, and also of water, which Frederick brought in a basin, were an unspeakable refreshment, and loosened my parched tongue, which till now appeared to be glued to my jaws ; a comfortable bed was made up for me in the body of Frederick's waggon, for the wheels were off and it was under shade, and a profound sleep on a water supper allayed fever, and in a good measure restored me to a feeling of comfort. I found about eighty people, nearly fifty of whom belonged to the Bushman race, the rest Bondelzwaarts, some of whom frequently resort to this place with their HARD AT WORK. 177 cattle in time of drought, when grass becomes scarce in the vicinity of the station. Several of the Bushmen, I found, had a few sheep, goats, and cows of their own, whilst others were acting as shepherds for our people, from whom they received a few sheep and goats for their services. The general appearance of the men is far superior to what I had expected. They have in a great measure left off the practice of smearing their bodies with grease and dirt, and, instead of being naked like the generality of Bushmen, some were even decently clothed in trowsers and jackets of prepared sheepskins. The women were far less prepossessing in their appearance, being almost without exception destitute of any other clothing than an open kaross thrown loosely over the shoulders, and hanging as far as the bend of the knee. The holding of Divine service among them by one of our people \vas at first so great a novelty, and the assembling together of so many persons operated so strongly on their timid minds, that it was with difficulty they could be induced to remain. One man especially was so alarmed that he took to his heels and ran off in terror : and when pursued and overtaken by some of our people, though the kindest language was employed to allay his fears and assure him of their friendship and kind-intentions, he could scarcely be induced to credit their assertions, saying " he was sure there would be quarrelling amongst so many people." All this timidity soon passed away; they now sit quietly to hear the wonderful things of God ; often feel deeply, and for some time several of them have attended the class with the other members of society, and good hopes are entertained that the civilising and Christianising N 178 CHAPTER III. process thus auspiciously commenced may be carried on to their permanent benefit. Since Buys has been located amongst them, he has, with the help of the people, erected a small chapel, composed of the stems of young trees interlaced with long grass and bushes, in which he meets his class, holds day and Sabbath schools, conducts prayer meetings, and exhorts ; and as he is a man of unquestionable piety, and more than ordinary intelligence, I doubt not he will be rendered very useful. With very peculiar feelings and yearning compassion I addressed these wild men and women as they sat in the congregation. Their uninstructed minds had been gradually prepared to understand some of the simple truths of the Gospel ; and whilst I spoke they listened with intense interest ; the bosoms of many heaved, and their eyes filled with tears. The little day school for children was chiefly conducted by the eldest daughter of the native assistant, under the supervision of her father. I left them with an earnest prayer that in the great harvest some of these poor people might be found gathered into the garner of God.1 About this time Frederick Buys visited the station with his wife and family, and their provisions failing on the road, he felt that his only resource was an earnest prayer to Almighty God that He would send some wild animal within the range of his gun. For some time he and his family were in great distress for want of food ; but waiting confidently for the answer to his prayer, and scrutinising every object on the plains with his keen vision, he at length detected in the distance a zebra. Approaching, by creeping on his hands and knees, and availing himself of the shelter of any bush that might occur between himself and the animal, he at length came within what he considered safe shooting distance ; when, touching the trigger, the game was struck and fell, and at once his heart bounded with joy because relief had come to his family, a relief which was manifestly an answer to prayer. It was a young animal, in good condition, and unusually delicious. He arrived at the station during my own dinner time, bringing, as a souvenir, a small portion of zebra flesh ; so, setting aside 252 CHAPTER V. the mutton off which I was dining, and which was an everlasting dish, I partook of the zebra flesh instead, partly as a rarity, but also because of its own juicy and excellent nature. To-day, September 25th, I had some conversation with Frederick Buys, whom I appointed neai'ly two years since to hold services amongst a number of Bushmen. After some encouraging signs of the blessing of the Lord on his efforts, and many discouraging circumstances, those hapless Bushmen threw off all restraint, resumed their former habits, and are now scattered in all directions. During his residence amongst them one died, who, previously to his last sickness, had become enlightened in some measure, and manifested earnest desires for salvation. After much and patient instruction, Frederick thought there was hope in his death ; and this was a source of much consolation to him, for it proved to him that though, owing to their extreme ignorance and to the wildness of their habits, they are difficult to reclaim, even Bushmen are included amongst " the redeemed of the Lord." Our conversation to-day related chiefly to his being stationed amongst the Yclschoen Draagers. They have been regularly visited by Elias Rolfe, from his outpost, and it is not long since I baptized twelve persons who had been candidates for many months ; but occasional visits, and such services as they have had, have only awakened desires for constant instruction, and fresh requests have recently reached me from the chief. Frederick Buys, being no longer required by the Bushmen, is now at my disposal ; and, as he is perfectly willing, I have resolved to send him. His wife is like-minded, and desirous to be TOILS AND TRIUMPHS. 253 engaged in the work of the Lord. I have engaged to meet him ten days hence at our most distant outpost, that together we may see the chief of the Velschoen Draagers, preparatory to his appointment to reside with him and his people. Sunday, 27th. In the afternoon I held a love-feast, when some very satisfactory and interesting statements were made. Amongst those who spoke was Frederick Buys, who said, in anticipation of his being appointed to labour amongst the Velschoen Draagers, that be was willing to go wherever the Lord should direct ; and that if he were certain that he should meet with death itself in the execution of his Christian duty, he should not for a moment hesitate : his purpose was fixed. This was not the effervescence of youthful zeal, but the matured and calm determination of a man of forty, who has a wife and many children. I was rejoiced to hear so many testify of the grace of God, some of whom are the seals of the late Rev. E. Cook's ministry.2 Tuesday, 6th. Early this morning we proceeded to Kroon Kran'fz, where Elias Rolfe, our native assistant, is living. After passing through some most rugged ly romantic scenery, we reached it soon after dark, though too late for any public service. This was the place at which I had appointed to meet Frederick Buys ; and, faithful to his engagement, he had arrived, and came with Elias to meet us on our approach. 7th. This morning I despatched a messenger to Hendrik Hendriks, the chief of the Yelschoen Draagers, to announce our arrival at this place, and to request him to visit us, that I mi