It  would  have  proved  suificient  if  the  natives  followed  rational
agriculture   and    if  the   reserved   lands   had   everywhere   been
cultivable,  though  no  provision  was  made  for  future  increase  of
population.     The  result  was,  however,  that  great  scarcity  soon
appeared  amongst  the  Bakwiri,  and  the  discontent  increased  to
such  an  extent  that  a  rising  was  apprehended  ;   for  it  was  not
enough  that  the  natives  were  robbed  of  their  land,  they  v^ero
robbed    also   of   their   cattle.     Many   planters    carried   on   the
capture  of  cattle  as  a  sport,  and  boasted  how  much  '  fresh  meat '
they  obtained  for  their  companies  in  this  way.    The  Government
and  the  planters  may  thanlt;  the  oflbrts  of  the  Basle  Missionary
Society  that  a  bloody  rising  was  prevented."  *

The  writer  points  out  further  that  the  missionaries  had  agreed
at  first  to  act  as  labour  agents  for  the  planters,  but  "  When  they
saw  how  cruelly  the  labourers  were  often  treated  on  the  planta-
tions, how  in  the  course  of  a  year  the  fourth  part  of  them  died
off  and  had  to  serve  as  manure  for  the  land,  while  the  greater
part  of  the  remainder  became  seriously  ill,  and  when  they  saw
how  through  the  brandy  which  was  thrust  upon  them  and  the
evil  example  of  the  most  of  their  masters  the  labourers  sank
over  lower,  they  could  not  face  the  responsibility  before  God
and  their  consciences  of  being  parties  to  such  an  unjust  and
wicked  business."

Incidents  like  this  explain  the  frequent  attacks  upon  the
missionaries,  who  often  stand  between  the  natives  and  injustice
and  violence.     They  also  give  point  to  the  incriminating  apology

•  J.  Boholze  in  "  Deutaoho  Koloniuii"  ("The  Truth  about  the  Mission  to
tlie  Heathen  and  ita  Opponents").
