ddenly found himself in possession of a small flock
with which to begin his mission.

He accepted the charge, conducted them to the region where the mission
was to be established, and finally settled down with them there.

Some time after this there came a rumour that a large and powerful band
of slavers was approaching the settlement with many slaves in
possession, and with the intention of attacking the tribe among whom the
missionaries were located. What was now to be done? To have remained
inactive until the slavers marched up to their huts would have been
equivalent to suicide. It would have been worse, for it would have
insured the putting to flight of the few men of the tribe--who it seems
were not celebrated for courage--and the result would have been the
overthrow of the mission and the recapture of the women and children who
had already been delivered.

In these trying circumstances Bishop Mackenzie and his people came to
the conclusion that self-defence called for vigorous action, and, with
musket and rifle, sallied forth to meet the men-stealers, with the
Bishop at their head.

On reaching the position of the enemy they paused at a distance of above
six hundred yards. A group of Arab slavers were standing on a hill
together. One of the mission party kneeled, and with an Enfield rifle
sent a bullet over their heads. The effect was powerful! The slavers,
accustomed to the smooth-bore musket, had thought themselves quite safe
at such a distance. They were panic-stricken: perhaps the unexpected
sight of white men aided the effect. At all events, when another bullet
was dropped into the midst of them, they took to flight. The
missionaries, like good generals, seized their opportunity, charged
home, and chased the scoundrels into the woods. Thus, with little
fighting, they gained an important victory, and became possessed of a
second large band of slaves--chiefly women and children--who had been
forsaken by their terrified captors.

These the Bishop resolved to add to his settlement. Indeed, as in the
previous case, he had no alternative. They were at once liberated and
conducted to the station, and one of the poor black children--a little
girl named Dauma--was carried home by Mackenzie on his own shoulders.

Soon afterwards the mission failed in that quarter. Among other
misfortunes disease attacked and carried off several of the chief
Europeans of the party. The earnest enthusiastic Bishop h