hat he was able once again
to sail for Africa.

In 1840 two new missionaries were set apart for the Bechwana
mission--- William Ross and David Livingstone. With them Robert Moffat
was able to send five hundred copies of the Sechwana New Testament.

As the sheets were passing through the press, it was suggested to him
that the Psalms would be a valuable addition to the work. With his
characteristic energy he immediately commenced the task, and, a few
months after the sailing of Ross and Livingstone, he had the joy of
sending to Africa over two thousand copies of the New Testament, with
which the Psalms had been bound up. By the end of 1843 six thousand
copies had been sent out. A revision of the book of Scripture Lessons
was also undertaken and carried through the press. A demand was made
upon him to write a book, in response to which he prepared his well
known work, "Missionary Labours and Scenes in South Africa," which was
published in 1842, and met with great success.

At length the time drew near when once more Robert and Mary Moffat
should cross the sea to their beloved home at Kuruman. Valedictory
services of a most enthusiastic character were held in Scotland,
Newcastle, Manchester, and London. At Edinburgh a copy of the
"Encyclopaedia Britannica" was presented to Robert Moffat, and at
Newcastle a set of scientific instruments was given him. A great impetus
was imparted to missionary work abroad through these and preceding
meetings, during his sojourn in England, and when on the 30th of
January, 1843, he and his wife embarked at Gravesend, accompanied by two
new missionaries for the Bechwana field, they carried with them the
esteem of a wide circle of friends, and had the fervent prayers of many
offered up on their behalf.

On the 10th of April they landed at Cape Town, and six weeks later
embarked in a small coasting vessel for Algoa Bay. At Bethelsdorp, a
village a few miles beyond Port Elizabeth, they rejoined Messrs. Ashton
and Inglis, who with their wives had gone on before by steamer; but here
they were detained for several months, waiting for a vessel to arrive
from England which had on board a large quantity of baggage for the
missionaries and their work.

[Illustration: CAPE TOWN.]

At last the start was made, the long train of ox waggons wended their
way, the Orange River was crossed, this time on a pont or floating
bridge, and at the Vaal River, one hundred and fifty miles distant from
Kuruman,