Chapter four: St Luke's Mission 1 May 1855 to 4 September 1855

Chapter Four of Robert John Mullins' diary resumes on May 1, 1855, after a five-month gap, marking the start of his residency at St. Luke's Mission (near Chief Mhala's great place in British Kaffraria). The abstract details the challenges of establishing the mission, dealing with local Xhosa customs and labor, and the personal hardships Mullins faced. Mullins, now in his "new cottage," found himself severely lacking basic necessities, notably shoes and clothing, as his trunk had gone missing and he was reduced to "walking on stockings." The mission, under the Principal Mr. Hardie and assisted by Mr. Garde and Mr. Greenstock, was focused on building and cultivating land. Mullins was heavily involved in manual labor and organization, including: Construction: Measuring ground for the men, working in the quarry (Fort Waterloo), and cleaning out the buck kraal and stable. Labor Relations: Dealing with Xhosa and Fingo workers who were prone to striking for higher wages. Mullins noted that Xhosa laborers worked poorly, one pair doing in a day what he could do in four hours, leading him to pay them off and dismiss them. An obstinate worker even threatened that the Xhosa were "only waiting for a fair excuse to make war" and would "kill me." Logistics: The lack of a clock meant they were consistently late, and his watch was broken. He was responsible for counting the station’s livestock (bucks) and managing the commissariat (provisions), often sending men to King William's Town for goods like sugar and coffee. Mullins recorded several interactions with the local Xhosa community, particularly Chief Mhala (Umhalla) and his family: Mhala: The chief visited for coffee and surprisingly asked for salt instead of sugar. He was later seen at the quarry, appearing unwell. Mhala's Sons: Mullins had a conflict with Smith, Mhala's son, over keeping people out of the kitchen, but liked the elder son, Mackinnon, finding him "far superior" and "extremely good tempered." Cultural Clashes: He caught a Xhosa man trying to steal his fork to comb out his hair. He also found a goat herd wrapped in the horse blanket, claiming he was cold. Mullins noted the Xhosa custom of having a senior woman (Betsy) whom he referred to as his "mother." The mission received delayed English newspapers, with the latest news being from February. Mullins read accounts of the Crimean War, including the Battle of Inkerman, and the suffering of the soldiers. He mentioned the death of Archdeacon Hare, a friend to his former home, Shoreham. He received a humorous, if slightly mocking, packet of papers from a friend in King William's Town addressed to "Mr Samavil Ebenezer Muggins from his friend Bumps." The chapter closes with Mullins still hoping to join the Revd. Allen on a journey further inland, indicating his desire for "roughing" experiences and exploration. He also visited and admired the scenery and krantzes (cliffs) around the Gonube River, finding them "magnificent."