32 2 A HOTTENTOT PATRIOT. 



and prevent my return to England with the know- 

 ledge I possessed of their depredations, I was to be 

 shot down from behind one of the adjoining boulders 

 or trees that thickly edged the path, through the 

 ravine I contemplated taking. 



From various circumstances that had occurred, 

 I could not doubt the correctness of my informant's 

 statement ; but there was only the one route open 

 for me that I knew of, and delay did not promise to 

 make a journey over it more secure. 



" Well, what would you advise, old man ; for 

 go I must, let the risks be what they will ? " I 

 inquired. 



" I have thought of that ; do as I tell you, and 

 you will get through safe and sound. My plan 

 is this. Take your servant with you ; don't tell 

 him a word of what your intentions are, but profess 

 you are only going for a ride. Start about half-past 

 three in the afternoon, keep a course about due 

 south for five miles, when you will find a road that 

 runs through a large mealie-garden ; at the edge of 

 it, and close by where cultivation commences, you 

 will see a woman gathering sticks ; pull up your 

 horses and follow her till she hands you over to the 

 guidance of another, who will take you where I have 

 instructed her, then you will know if Cigar, the old 

 Hottentot, is not as good as his word, and as true 

 to his old Bass as ever he was." 



To the letter I carried out this programme. I 



