d difficult, and
took much longer than his sanguine nature had reckoned; but he reached
Grahamstown at last, and explained matters to the Governor, who instantly
sent off a British officer to assume authority over the settlement at
Natal, and try to keep the peace with Dingarn, while Captain Gardiner
embarked for England to lay the state of things before Government and the
Church Missionary Society, at whose disposal he placed all his own
personal grant from Dingarn. When the prospects of the mission were
proclaimed, the Rev. Francis Owen volunteered for it, and Captain
Gardiner collected all that he thought needful for the great work he
hoped to carry out. He married Miss Marsh, of Hampstead, and, with her
and his three children, Mr. Owen and his wife and sister, sailed on the
24th of December, 1836; but the arrival was a sorrowful one, for his
eldest child, a girl, of twelve years old, was slowly declining. She
died just as they entered Durban Bay, and was buried at Berea immediately
on their arrival. As soon as the Kaffirs heard of Captain Gardiner's
landing, they flocked in to express their willingness to live under his
authority. He chose a pleasant spot for his home, and having settled his
family there, went up to see Dingarn. The presents this time were indeed
ecstatically received, and especially a watch and seals, and a huge pair
of gay worsted slippers. "He took my measure before he went," cried
Dingarn, who had tried a pair of boots before, but could not get them on.
The king was made to understand that his gift of land must be not to the
Captain, but to the King of England, and with this he complied. He was
also persuaded to modify his demands; as to the fugitives, Gardiner
undertook not to encourage or employ them, but would not search them out
or return them. Mr. Owen was also favourably received, as the
_umfundisi_ or teacher; a hut was allotted to him, and he was allowed to
preach. He took up his abode at Umkingoglove, the first town where
Captain Gardiner had seen the king, held services and opened a school,
often holding conversations with the king. "Has God commanded kings and
indunas to learn His word?" demanded Dingarn; and he actually did learn
to read the words printed upon a card for the children.

Meantime Captain Gardiner was forming his settlement at a place which he
had named in the Kaffir tongue, Hambanati, "Go with us," in allusion to
Moses' invitation to Hobab: "Go with us, and w