The Mission Read online

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  THE MISSIONORSCENES IN AFRICA

  _WRITTEN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE_

  BYCAPTAIN MARRYATAUTHOR OF "FRANK MILDMAY," "PERCIVAL KEENE," "PHANTOM SHIP," "DOGFIEND," "JACOB FAITHFUL," "POACHER," ETC., ETC.

  _WITH ILLUSTRATIONS_

  GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONSLONDON: BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILLNEW YORK: 9 LAFAYETTE PLACE

  THE ONWARD MARCH.--_Front_. P. 226.]

  CONTENTS.

  CHAPTER I.

  Account of Sir Charles Wilmot--Loss of the Grosvenor--SirCharles's doubts respecting the Survival of his Wife andChildren--Alexander Wilmot--His Character--The NewspaperParagraph--Details of the Wreck of the Grosvenor--Surmisesas to the Fate of the Passengers

  CHAPTER II.

  Alexander's Reflections--His Plan--Sir Charles opposes it--Hisunwilling Consent--Alexander's Departure

  CHAPTER III.

  Alexander's Melancholy--Finds a Friend--Sea Sickness--Mr.Fairburn--The Passengers--Conversations--The Cape--Mr. Fairburn'sAccount of the Treatment of the Hottentots by the Dutch

  CHAPTER IV.

  Natural History discussed--Mr. Swinton's Enthusiasm--FurtherHistory of the Cape--Dutch Barbarity--Alexander's Indignation

  CHAPTER V.

  Aquatic Birds--Guano--Mr. Fairburn's Narrativecontinued--Stuurman--Mokanna--The Attack--Failure of the Caffres

  CHAPTER VI.

  Sharks--Their Cowardice--Attack on one by Neptune--Divers' Dangers--Mr.Fairburn continues his Story--Mokanna's Fate--Disturbances among theCaffre Tribes

  CHAPTER VII.

  Mr. Swinton agrees to accompany Alexander--Land, ho!--CapeTown--Major Henderson--He joins the Party--Begum--Chaka'sHistory

  CHAPTER VIII.

  Night in Algoa Bay--The Major meets Maxwell--Preparationsto start--The Caravan--Description of it--The Departure

  CHAPTER IX.

  The Plans of the Adventurers--Big Adam's Bravery--Milius--HisRefreshments--What his House contained--Speech to the Hottentots--TheBushman Boy, Prince Omrah

  CHAPTER X.

  Wild Beasts--Insubordination of the Hottentots--Danger fromElephants--Their hideous Shrieks--Big Adam's Terror--LieutenantHoodie's wonderful Escape--Sagacity of the Elephant--Intentionsof the Party

  CHAPTER XI.

  Arrival at Mr. S.'s Station--The Quarrel between Hinza and Voosani--AnEscort proposed--The Caffre Character--The Sabbath--Painful Positionof a Missionary's Wife

  CHAPTER XII.

  The Royal Visit--Mutual Civilities--The Band ofWarriors--Hippopotami--Their Carcasses--Omrah's Cunning--TheTrick--Big Adam sulky--A narrow Escape--Preparations for theHunt

  CHAPTER XIII.

  Look out--The Signal--The Major's Nerve--Charge upon theCamp--Hottentots drunk--Begum's Uneasiness--Signs of Danger--Lions'Sagacity--Anecdotes

  CHAPTER XIV.

  A Storm--Sober again--Elephant Steak--Omrah's Tricks--Man-eaters--Ahorrible Adventure--The Sleepers awakened

  CHAPTER XV.

  Quah! quah!--Alexander's and the Major's Danger--A criticalSituation--Omrah's Presence of Mind--Divine Worship--Instructionof Caffres--Advance of the Enemy--Panic of the Natives--Refusalto proceed--The tables turned--The Council--Submission--Arrangements

  CHAPTER XVI.

  An Expedition--Rumors of War--Judicious Advice--Daaka'sHut--The Interview with Daaka--Explanations--Remainsof the Grosvenor--The Mystery solved--Alexander's Joy--TheWagons again--The Major's Fortress--Plans for the Future

  CHAPTER XVII.

  Quetoo's Movements--Destruction of his Army--The Return--Plentyof Sport--The Warriors rewarded--Precautions--Antelopes--TheVictim--A large Meal

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  Conversation--Gnoos--Five Lions--Thirst quenched--Ferocityof the Hyena--Anecdotes--Preparations for a Chase

  CHAPTER XIX.

  A practical Joke--A lucky Escape--History of the Mantatees--MantateeCourage--A final Slaughter--Discussions--Swinton's Accountof Africaner

  CHAPTER XX.

  Omrah's Intelligence--Lion-hunting--Silence and Caution--Anunpleasant Surprise--Self-sacrifice of a Gemsbok--Swinton'sStory continued--Conversation on Lions--Anecdotes--Big Adam punished

  CHAPTER XXI.

  Interview with Bushmen--A shrewd Surmise--A Herd of Buffaloes--Aprovidential Escape--A Scene--Swanevelt in Danger--Conversation--AStory

  CHAPTER XXII.

  Overpowering Heat--Divine Service--An Intrusion--The poisonedLion--Discussion on venomous Reptiles--Lizard shot--Swinton'sInformation to his Companions

  CHAPTER XXIII.

  A good Shot--Water scarce--Omrah in Trouble--TurtleSoup--Sufferings--Sufferings at an end--An earthly Paradise

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  Aspect of the Country--Chase of a Rhinoceros--Omrah's Plansucceeds--A Lion's Leap--Account of a Rhinoceros-Hunt--Elandsshot--A Lioness attacked--The Lion's Skin awarded--An expiring Effort

  CHAPTER XXV.

  Swinton's Astonishment--A Dialogue--Maternal Affection--An Alarm--Griquasfallen in with--The Message to Moselekatsee--Fire!--The MatabiliKing--Expectations

  CHAPTER XXVI.

  Chase of a Giraffe--Proposed Retreat--The Major's Objectattained--Treachery--Treachery defeated--Omrah's Scheme--Hopesof Water disappointed

  CHAPTER XXVII.

  Further Progress--The Horses and Oxen break away--ThePursuit--Hopes and Fears--The Caravan lost--Intense Heat--Omrah'sCourage--A Temporary Relief--Despair--Water at last obtained--Swinton'sSignals answered

  CHAPTER XXVIII.

  Panic produced by a Lion--Omrah's and Big Adam's Predicament--A Lion'sMode of stimulating his Appetite--A Meeting with Bushmen--Cattlestolen--Recovery attempted--Oxen poisoned--Death of Piets--Arrivalat Cape Town

  CHAPTER XXIX.

  Parting Scenes--Alexander and the Major embark--Alexander'sArrival at Home--He relates his adventures--Sir Charles'sHealth gradually declines--His Presents to Swinton and theMajor--His Death--Conclusion

  THE MISSION, OR SCENES IN AFRICA.