The events recorded in the preceding chapter were of so peculiar a character, and the circumstances under which they took place so remarkable, that we were naturally led to anticipate a favourable change in the prospects of the mission. We had been but a short time at Griqua Town, when all reports of farther invasion from the interior died away, the enemy having taken another route; and we accordingly retraced our steps to a spot, now in some measure endeared to us. The people in general appeared to feel deeply sensible of the lively interest which the missionaries had taken in their welfare, especially as they could not help seeing that it was not without much suffering and deprivation of comfort on our part. They could not but wonder that we remained in the country, when we might have escaped to the colony with comparatively little loss of property; and they did not hesitate to say this to ourselves, with evident admiration of our conduct. We had long deplored the unsuitable character of the spot on which we lived for a missionary station; and owing to the succession of dry seasons, there was every prospect, from the diminution of the fountain, of its becoming still more trying.

All the buildings which had hitherto been raised were but temporary; and the prospect of being left on a sandy plain without even drinking-water, not only prevented our erecting comfortable abodes, but determined us to embrace what appeared a favourable juncture for recommending a removal to a situation more eligible.