er, the missionaries have happily succeeded in
opening the eyes of the deluded people to the cheat which is practised on
them. One of the most intelligent of the Caffers of Southern Africa,
having been led to suspect the integrity of the rain-maker, visited Mr.
Shaw, and told him of his determination to have the question set at rest,
whether or no the rain-maker could produce rain. He had summoned the
rain-maker to meet Mr. Shaw in an open plain, when all the Caffers of the
surrounding kraals were to be present to decide the affair. Accordingly,
at the appointed time and place, thousands of Caffers from the
neighbouring country assembled in their war-dresses. Mr. Shaw, being
confronted with a celebrated rain-maker, declared publicly that God alone
gave rain; and then offered to present the rain-maker with a team of oxen
if he should succeed in making it rain within a certain specified time.
This was agreed to; the rain-maker began his ceremonies, which are said
to have been well calculated to impose upon an ignorant and superstitious
people. The time having expired without any signs of rain, the chief who
had called together the meeting asked the rain-maker why he had so long
imposed upon them? The rain-maker complained that he had not been paid
well enough for his rain; and appealed to all present, whether rain had
not always been produced when he had been properly paid. Mr. Shaw then
pointed out some half-famished cattle belonging to the rain-maker, which
were seen on a neighbouring hill starving for want of pasturage, and
remarked, that if he really possessed his boasted skill, he would not
have neglected his own interests. To this the rain-maker cleverly
replied, "I never found a difficulty in making rain until _he_ (pointing
to Mr. Shaw) came among us; but now, no sooner do I collect the clouds,
and the rain is about to fall, than immediately there begins a sound of
_ting_, _ting_, _ting_, (alluding to the chapel-bell,) which puts the
clouds to flight, and prevents the rain from descending on your land."
Mr. Shaw was not able to tell what effect this ingenious excuse had upon
the majority of the Caffers, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that
the intelligent chief, who consulted him on the subject, never _bought_
any more rain.

Already Published in this Series.

I.--THE SNOW STORM.
II.--THE FROZEN STREAM.
III.--THE RAIN CLOUD.

Shortly will be Published.

IV.--THE DEW DROP.
V.--T