es southward, and a hundred and twenty
miles from the German port of Lindi. The place is situated upon a high
plateau above the river Rovuma, on fertile ground, easy to cultivate,
and with grand mountain peaks towering above it. Here the little
community grew and nourished, people from the neighbouring country came
to be taught, and for six years all went well. Then came a threatening
of trouble. Far away, near the shores of Lake Nyasa, dwelt a tribe known
as the Magwangwara--Zulus, who, says the story, were once defeated in
warfare, and settled there rather than return home to meet death at the
hands of their own countrymen. Tidings of the coming of the Europeans
had reached this fierce race, to whom war was the business of life, and
they had announced their intention of measuring their strength against
the white men. They were marching eastward, and had shaken their spears
towards Masasi.

[Footnote 3: See page 243.]

Mr. Maples, one of the two Englishmen in charge of the station, started
at once, with five of his own men, to meet the invaders, and try to
persuade them to peace. On the afternoon of their second day's journey,
they discovered, to their dismay, that they had missed the enemy, for
they came upon the camping-ground of a large army, and could see their
tracks, marking the _detour_ by which they had escaped meeting the
little embassy. There was nothing for it but to return as quickly as
possible, in the hope of catching them up before they reached Masasi.
All that night they hurried along, making what speed they could in the
darkness; but when, soon after dawn, they reached the outskirts of their
own territory, some four miles from Masasi, a terrible sight met their
view--columns of smoke were rising from the place where their dwellings
had stood. Clearly the village had been attacked, their friends were
dead or captive, and nothing remained but to learn their fate, and in
all probability to share it.

Kneeling, in sight of their burning homes, the little party commended
themselves to God's keeping, and were starting forward again, when
shouts were heard close to them, and they found themselves in the midst
of an armed body of the Magwangwara. Only Mr. Maples' presence of mind,
and the perfect obedience of his followers, saved them from instant
death. At his word of command the little band laid down their guns, and,
though thrown to the ground and threatened by the assegais of their
enemies, made no atte