250 BOTANICAL EXCURSIONS 
present, of the former tribe, the chiefs Cobus Congo, Pato, 
and Kama; of the latter, Umhala, Umkai, Gazala, and 
Noneebe the widow of Dushani, and about three hundred 
Caffers of inferior rank. "The chiefs were in English dresses, 
mostly old uniforms which had been given them by the Lieu- 
tenant-governor and other authorities on the frontier, and. 
which did not become them at all; but the multitude, in 
their national dress, with their cloaks either wrapt round 
them, or hanging in loose folds over one shoulder, so as to 
expose the greatest part of their athletic figures, had a most 
picturesque appearance. The conference took place in the 
church; the Governor, Lieutenant-governor and their party 
occupying a platform at one end of it, while the natives filled 
the rest of the building. It was a curious and striking sight, to 
behold these dark warriors, some wrapt in their cloaks, others 
naked, but armed with their clubs or kirries, sitting in pro- 
found silence, and in attitudes of earnest attention, with their 
intelligent countenances and keen eyes turned towards the 
speakers, whom they never interrupted. I certainly never 
saw a public meeting in England half so orderly. I was re- 
minded of the accounts that are given of the North American 
Indians, and of their demeanour on occasions like the pre- 
sent. Several of the chiefs spoke, but not at any great 
length, all professing the greatest aversion to war, and tbe 
utmost satisfaction at the pacific and friendly language used 
by the Governor. The principal topic of discussion was 
charge against Umkai, of instigating and abetting the meeting 
in the Cape Corps. He defended himself with considerable 
art and ingenuity, but by no means satisfactorily. The con- 
ference, however, ended very amicably. After it had broken 
up, when the Caffers had resumed their assagais, and were 
standing or lounging about in knots and groups in the open 
air, I was struck more than ever with the picturesque and 
noble appearance of these fine barbarians, whose tall and well- 
proportioned figures, with the unstudied grace and ease of 2 
their attitudes, and the disposition of their scanty drapery: —- 
