THE MISSION

OR

SCENES IN AFRICA

BY

CAPTAIN MARRYAT

AUTHOR OF "FRANK MILDMAY," "PERCIVAL KEENE," "PHANTOM SHIP," "DOG FIEND," "JACOB FAITHFUL," "POACHER," ETC., ETC.

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS
LONDON: BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL
NEW YORK: 9 LAFAYETTE PLACE

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Account of Sir Charles Wilmot—Loss of the Grosvenor—Sir Charles's doubts respecting the Survival of his Wife and Children—Alexander Wilmot—His Character—The Newspaper Paragraph—Details of the Wreck of the Grosvenor—Surmises as to the Fate of the Passengers

CHAPTER II.

Alexander's Reflections—His Plan—Sir Charles opposes it—His unwilling Consent—Alexander's Departure

CHAPTER III.

Alexander's Melancholy—Finds a Friend—Sea Sickness—Mr. Fairburn—The Passengers—Conversations—The Cape—Mr. Fairburn's Account of the Treatment of the Hottentots by the Dutch

CHAPTER IV.

Natural History discussed—Mr. Swinton's Enthusiasm—Further History of the Cape—Dutch Barbarity—Alexander's Indignation

CHAPTER V.

Aquatic Birds—Guano—Mr. Fairburn's Narrative continued—Stuurman—Mokanna—The Attack—Failure of the Caffres

CHAPTER VI.

Sharks—Their Cowardice—Attack on one by Neptune—Divers' Dangers—Mr. Fairburn continues his Story—Mokanna's Fate—Disturbances among the Caffre Tribes

CHAPTER VII.

Mr. Swinton agrees to accompany Alexander—Land, ho!—Cape Town—Major Henderson—He joins the Party—Begum—Chaka's History

CHAPTER VIII.

Night in Algoa Bay—The Major meets Maxwell—Preparations to start—The Caravan—Description of it—The Departure

CHAPTER IX.

The Plans of the Adventurers—Big Adam's Bravery—Milius—His Refreshments—What his House contained—Speech to the Hottentots—The Bushman Boy, Prince Omrah

CHAPTER X.

Wild Beasts—Insubordination of the Hottentots—Danger from Elephants—Their hideous Shrieks—Big Adam's Terror—Lieutenant Hoodie's wonderful Escape—Sagacity of the Elephant—Intentions of the Party

CHAPTER XI.

Arrival at Mr. S.'s Station—The Quarrel between Hinza and Voosani—An Escort proposed—The Caffre Character—The Sabbath—Painful Position of a Missionary's Wife

CHAPTER XII.

The Royal Visit—Mutual Civilities—The Band of Warriors—Hippopotami—Their Carcasses—Omrah's Cunning—The Trick—Big Adam sulky—A narrow Escape—Preparations for the Hunt

CHAPTER XIII.

Look out—The Signal—The Major's Nerve—Charge upon the Camp—Hottentots drunk—Begum's Uneasiness—Signs of Danger—Lions' Sagacity—Anecdotes

CHAPTER XIV.

A Storm—Sober again—Elephant Steak—Omrah's Tricks—Man-eaters—A horrible Adventure—The Sleepers awakened

CHAPTER XV.

Quah! quah!—Alexander's and the Major's Danger—A critical Situation—Omrah's Presence of Mind—Divine Worship—Instruction of Caffres—Advance of the Enemy—Panic of the Natives—Refusal to proceed—The tables turned—The Council—Submission—Arrangements

CHAPTER XVI.

An Expedition—Rumors of War—Judicious Advice—Daaka's Hut—The Interview with Daaka—Explanations—Remains of the Grosvenor—The Mystery solved—Alexander's Joy—The Wagons again—The Major's Fortress—Plans for the Future

CHAPTER XVII.

Quetoo's Movements—Destruction of his Army—The Return—Plenty of Sport—The Warriors rewarded—Precautions—Antelopes—The Victim—A large Meal

CHAPTER XVIII.

Conversation—Gnoos—Five Lions—Thirst quenched—Ferocity of the Hyena—Anecdotes—Preparations for a Chase

CHAPTER XIX.

A practical Joke—A lucky Escape—History of the Mantatees—Mantatee Courage—A final Slaughter—Discussions—Swinton's Account of Africaner

CHAPTER XX.

Omrah's Intelligence—Lion-hunting—Silence and Caution—An unpleasant Surprise—Self-sacrifice of a Gemsbok—Swinton's Story continued—Conversation on Lions—Anecdotes—Big Adam punished