.
We entertained the notion that the natives were an inferior race to
ourselves, intended by Providence to be kept in a condition of
servitude, as the sheep and oxen were; to be kindly treated if they were
docile and industrious; to be subdued and punished if refractory."

"That is, of course, a perverted view," said the doctor, "but still no
one, who has seen much of these races, can doubt their inferiority, or
the necessity of their being instructed and kept in control by the
whites."

"Granted," said the missionary. "The whites had, in fact, a mission of
love and mercy entrusted to them. They ought to have taught the
natives, and raised them gradually to a level with themselves. But we
never taught or raised them. On the contrary, our persistent
determination was to keep them down. We dreaded their acquiring
knowledge; and looked with jealousy and dislike upon some earnest and
devoted men, who had come from Europe for the purpose of enlightening
them."

"Did you come across George Schmidt, sir?" inquired Warley, with an
eagerness of manner which attracted De Walden's attention. "I have read
about him, and have been anxious to meet some one who knew him."

"Yes," said De Walden, "to my shame, I did. One of the first things I
remember, after my arrival at Klyberg, was an outburst of anger because
the good and holy man you name had baptised one of his converts. You
may well look surprised, but so it was. By the law of the Cape, no
baptised person could be a slave; so that the baptism of a Hottentot had
the effect of manumitting him. Of course the law was a mistake, and
ought to have been altered. A slave, as Saint Paul has emphatically
taught us, may be as true a Christian as his master. But the Dutch had
no thought of altering the law, and were resolved rather to keep their
slaves in heathen darkness than lose their services."

"That is much what I read," said Warley; "and Schmidt was obliged to
leave the colony, was he not?"

"He was, and never returned to it, though he earnestly longed and prayed
that he might. His prayer was heard after his death, and his spirit
returned in the faithful band of servants, who were raised up to carry
on his work. I never saw _George_ Schmidt while in Africa. I had no
wish to do so. His name was a by-word of reproach on my lips. But
afterwards, while I was in Holland, during a three years' absence from
the colony, I did encounter him."

The speaker paused for