and the people were glad to get anything that would sustain life.

The second night after leaving Mandlakazi we arrived at a little kraal in a low, swampy place, and, as we had but little to eat, I decided to try some of the boiled pith, as it looked quite palatable. I ate nearly a saucer full, and, being tired, lay down to sleep; but I found there was to be but little sleep that night. Boiled wood was a little too much for my digestive organs, and I was taken with a colic which lasted me till morning.

As soon as daylight appeared, although I felt weak, we started off. Not having any desire to be laid up sick in such a swamp, we thought it advisable to get out of it as soon as possible. That night found us at a place called Gwambi, out of Gungunyana's territory and in the Portuguese district, where the land was higher and there was plenty to

eat.

Gwambi is a large district containing thousands of people without a missionary. This was the fifth time I had passed through it, so that many of them have at least heard a part of the gospel. Many young men from this place are working in the Transvaal gold fields, where I have had grand opportunities of preaching to them. Some of them at present are attending our school.

Three days after we left Gwambi we were being welcomed by the natives at our station in Komeni. We stayed but a short time here, then pushed on to Malahisa, and from thence to Inhambane. In the three hundred miles we had traveled God had blessedly provided for us. Every day my soul had enjoyed the precious communion of the Holy Spirit. We preached the everlasting gospel to many people, and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We were glad, however, to see Inhambane again, glad to get among a people with whom we were acquainted, glad of the privilege of having another opportunity of preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified to the Inhambane people.

CHAPTER XXI.

REMOVAL TO CHERENE-BATTLING WITH SICKNESS.

Upon his arrival at Inhambane Mr. Agnew very soon went north to visit Mr. and Mrs. Bennett at their station. He spent a couple of weeks very pleasantly with them, after which he returned to Inhambane to make arrangements for getting to work on a station once more.

While he was walking back from the landing place at Mutamba to Malihisi, a distance of sixteen miles, he became impressed that, as he was alone in his work, it would be wise to settle at some place nearer the town, so that, in case of sickness, he could more easily secure help. After praying over the matter and looking about for a little, he decided to settle at a place called Cherene. This location was not far from Mutamba, and, besides, was considerably elevated, and was surrounded by plenty of people in need of missionary work. Here he purchased about forty acres of land from the chief, built a hut to lodge in, and also a chapel in which to hold services.

Soon after getting settled at Cherene Mr. Agnew received word that Mr. Bennett was prostrate with dysentery. He immediately went to see him, ministered to him the best he could, but shortly after his arrival was taken with the same disease. Referring to the situation, in the way of apology for introducing so revolting a topic, he says: "People may think these are rather grewsome subjects to write about, but if one wishes to give a true account of some of the difficulties connected

with mission work in Africa, he cannot afford to taboo the matter of sickness."

The mission house occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bennett was situated in a valley, and the heat was so intense there as to occasion Mr. Agnew much suffering. Hence, after lying in bed there about eighteen days he decided to procure carriers, and, if possible, get back to his own hut at Cherene, where it was much cooler. He sent orders to a Mohammedan to have a boat ready for him at the landing place, eight miles away, and then had the natives carry him thither in a hammock.

On arrival, however, he was painfully disappointed at seeing no sign of a boat in which to embark. His situation was now distressing, indeed. Worn and wasted. with disease and wearied by the journey, he lay in a helpless if not in a hopeless condition. Whenever he wanted water it was well nigh impossible to get it. Every native vessel smelled so strongly of smoke, beer and other offensive things, that the odors made him the more sick. He says: "It seemed that I should die at this landing place, but God spared me and gave me a blessing in my soul which encouraged me much. Tom went out at one time and brought me in a bowl of milk. This was a god-send, and I took it as an answer to prayer, as there were few things I could eat and few things I could get to eat."

The next morning after his arrival at the landing place the boat he had prearranged for put in an appearance. He was at once taken on board, and then the passage to Inhambane, and thence to Cherene, began. Being very weak, and not knowing any one at Inhambane at that time who would be inclined to assume the charge of a sick man, he thought seriously of seeking

admission to a hospital. At this point he was much tempted of Satan, and records that it seemed as though the powers of hell were bent on killing him. He says: "It came to me that, if I went to the hospital, it would be the last of me; and the thought came that if I had stayed at home in America I might have accomplished something. My trust, however, was in God. I was his, and he had promised to be with his children, even unto the end of the world."

Mr. Agnew and his party arrived at Inhambane in the night, and his boys carried him up to a trading house where he was slightly acquainted. Here he secured a comfortable bed, yet got but little rest. While stopping at this trading house an Englishman with whom he was acquainted called, and, seeing the sick man's emaciated. condition, was touched with such sympathy for himthat tears came to his eyes and he said: "If you would like to come to my place you are welcome, and my woman and I will do what we can for you." [In referring to this Mr. Agnew says, by way of explanation, "Most white men at Inhambane have native women."] The gentleman's offer was gratefully accepted, and the sick man was carried to the proffered resting place, which was in the back part of the town, and there he remained until sufficiently strong to proceed to his destination at Cherene.

I must record the fact, he says, that these two people, although ungodly and living in sin, were as kind to me as if I had been their brother. The woman cooked me soups and other things such as I wanted, while the man would also bring me home things which he thought would benefit me. They would take no pay for their trouble, but God will reward them, if he has not already done so, for their kindness to his servant.