man had had until then of travelling without permission. From the
beginning to the end of this document it was open to criticism, which
the feeblest jurist could have made; but in the Transvaal, as elsewhere,
might dominates right, and we have to suffer the consequences of this
odious principle.

"We sorrowfully retraced the route towards the Vaal; this time no more
joyous singing around our fire at night, no more cheerful projects, no
more the hope of being the first to announce the glad Evangel among
pagan populations. The veldt we traversed seemed to have lost its poetry
and to have become desolate. To add to our misfortunes the epidemic
seized our oxen. We lost first one and then a second,--altogether eight.
Those which were left, tired and lean, dragged slowly and with pain the
waggons which before they had drawn along with such vigour. At last we
were in sight of Mabolela, and arrived at our destination, sorrowful,
yet not unhappy, determined not to be discouraged by this first check.
And now we were again at Lessouto, waiting for God to open to us a new
door."

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 12: The extract commences at chapter II, page 29.]

[Footnote 13: Near Pretoria.]

[Footnote 14: Livingstone had given to the Chief, Sechele, a large iron
pot for cooking purposes, and the form of it excited the suspicions of
the Boers, who reported that it was a cannon. That pot is now in the
Museum, at Cape Town.]