CHAPTER VII

Summary

The Rev. J. Campbell, in his first visit to Africa, to which reference has been made, found it necessary to cross the interior of the continent to Namaqua-land. During his journey, he found in every village through which he passed the terror of Africaner's name, and, as Mr. C. expresses it, “a trembling, lest he should pay them a visit;” and he might have added what he has often since done, with the voice, “that he and his retinue never were so afraid in their lives.” On reaching Pella, he wrote a conciliatory letter to Africaner: leaving it to be forwarded, he pursued his journey to the colony. Mr. Sass undertook to convey this important document; but after searching for Africaner for some time, he was compelled, by thirst and hunger, to relinquish his object, committing the letter to one well acquainted with Africaner, and in whom he could confide. On his return, Mr. S. and his attendants had nearly perished from thirst; they came to a hole in a rock where there was water, and into which a large hyena having forced itself, had been drowned: the stench was horrible, and in attempting to draw the now putrid carcase out, it went to pieces in their hands. But thirst will compel a man to do what would scarcely be credited in England; they drank, though the beasts of burden, panting for want of water, would not taste of the almost putrid draught.