Shortly after these events, at the request of Dr. Smith, Robert Moffat
accompanied the expedition on a visit to Moselekatse and the Matabele
country. Moselekatse was delighted to see his missionary friend again.
The scientific expedition had permission to travel through any part of
the monarch's territories, but Moffat, the king kept as his guest.
Together they visited, in the missionary's waggon, several of the
Matabele towns, and many conversations were held, in which the
importance of religion, and the evil effects of the king's policy were
faithfully pointed out.

By this journey, which occupied three months, a way was paved for some
American missionaries to reside with Moselekatse, and the country was
surveyed to find timber suitable for the roof of the new Kuruman
church. This timber was afterwards collected by Messrs. Hamilton and
Edwards--the wood-cutters having to travel to a distance of two hundred
and fifty miles--and fashioned into the roof of the church; which stands
at this day a monument of the united labours of Hamilton, Moffat, and
Edwards; and a wonder to beholders as to how such an achievement could
have been performed with the slender means then at hand.

[Illustration: MOFFAT PREACHING AT MOSHEU'S VILLAGE.]

Upon Moffat's return home again, his wife, by Dr. Smith's orders, left
for the Cape to recruit her strength; and Robert Moffat went
itinerating among the scattered Bechwanas. A most interesting time was
spent at a village, one hundred and fifty miles from Kuruman, where a
chief named Mosheu and his people resided. Three times did the
missionary preach to them on the first day, besides answering the
questions of all who gathered round. Many were most anxious to learn to
read, and such spelling-books as Moffat had with him were distributed