Places up the Big Boom were also visited in the interest of the Mission, some of which were formerly occupied by missionaries under the general direction of the American Missionary Association, but are now abandoned. Three of these, doubtless, are well remembered—Salem Hill, Lawana, and Mo-Tappan.
The lower portion of the Boom River waters a section of country that is very fertile, and might be called, very appropriately, the “Palm-growing Region.” The towns in this section of country are prosperous looking, and as one beholds palm-trees stretching into the distance, he can but think of the old missionary hymn—
“From Greenland’s icy mountains, etc.,
From many a palmy plain.”
Surely from these plains, rich in the production of palm-nuts, etc., they are calling Christian men and women to deliver them, not from physical bondage, but from that bondage that enslaves the soul forever—the bondage of eternal death!
GBAP, TROM, MARKETAH.
We stopped all night at a place called Gbap, where the king of a large extent of country, lying or bordering on the Big Boom, resides. We had very comfortable lodging here, although we failed in seeing his majesty the king.
Mrs. Miller was along; also Mr. Jowett, our interpreter. Two of the schoolboys also attended us. The next morning we got a good peep at the place. It was very neat, and I was informed that the Mission once had a teacher here.
Shoving off (you must remember we travel in boats), we advanced slowly up the river, whose current had become quite strong. The day’s travel was very unsatisfactory, and our night’s rest more so; for the mosquitoes are so bad in this part of the country, that children and cows have been killed by them. This our men say. I am sure they were bad enough that night. Mrs. Miller seemed a perfect marvel to these savage people. We could scarcely go to bed, such as it was, for their looking in upon us, talking about Mrs. Miller. I was so black, and so much resembled other Africans, that I was not the centre of attraction. Still, our interpreter informed us that they complimented us as “Nyandingo te te”—very fine, or fine for true.
Morning was gladly hailed by all. Mosquitoes was the principal theme. Each one had battled, evidently, all night, not for place, but for life, against these pests. We moved off early, and shall ever remember the village and the night spent here. Its name is Trom. I am sure if I had been in a tomb that night, with something of the vault kind over me, my rest would have been more peaceful than in this dreary place. The people wherever we stopped kindly received the missionaries. We made better time from Trom to our next night’s resting-place. We entered the Kittam River, early leading off toward the Gallinas, a tribe that also speaks Mendi. Mendi is the predominant language of a very large extent of country. The lower part of the Big Boom River, which is called the Bullom, runs through a beautiful section of country. The Kittam also has very picturesque scenery. The people looked contented and happy; the country elevated and healthy. We travelled several miles down this river, and on visiting the king, the reception that was given us showed that he highly appreciated our visit. I am informed that no missionary had ever been here before. He promised the mission two children. After holding conference with the people he offered a place to plant a mission station in which to educate his children. He had them in his villages in abundance. I informed him that I would “look my head”—think over the matter. All were impressed with the beauty of this country, with the neatness of its villages and the good disposition of the people. The king’s daughter made so much fuss over Mrs. Miller, dressed so differently from herself, that she became quite uneasy. Large crowds came around and joined her in welcoming their strange friend. My color again made me more common and less noticeable. We had a good night’s rest in this place. We left Coranko and the Soboo chief and his people the next day, feeling happy in the thought that missionaries are wanted in this place, and that the Lord in his own good time will send them to it. “The harvest, truly, is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” The people stood on the shore while we sailed away. We met persons in our travels whom we knew in Bonthe, at Good Hope. They always did their best to make us happy. All I can say is, may the Soboo chief and people have, before a great while, some one to teach them the way to Christ, man’s only Redeemer.