TRAFFIC WITH MAHURA. 237 



outspan, which was graciously granted. Mahura and 

 his aristocracy remained with us all the evening drink- 

 ing my coffee, and fishing or pumping out all the news 

 he could from me and my natives ; and at a late hour 

 this ill-expressioned, cunning old tyrant took leave for 

 the night, requesting that I would inspan in the morning 

 and bring up my wagons close to his dwelling-house, 

 that he might enjoy as much of my society as possible 

 luring my stay at his town, and that we might trade 

 with more facility. 



Accordingly, in the morning I drove up my wagons 

 and very soon his highness made his appearance, and re- 

 quested me to get ready some coffee. Presently about 

 a dozen fine young oxen were brought up, which he said 

 were to purchase powder, and after coffee we proceeded 

 to trading. I selected one young ox, and offered him 

 six pounds of powder for it. He then desired to see the 

 powder, and on my measuring it out he said that I 

 must add two more. From his manner it appeared to 

 me that he did not intend" to deal with me even if I 

 gave him what he asked; so I said I would let him 

 have one pound more, and if he did not like to take it 

 we could not dpal. He then, with the greatest non- 

 chalance, said, " Lay by your powder," and commenc- 

 ed talking on some other subject. Being very anxious 

 to obtain some good specimens of the large-horned oxen 

 of the Kalihari, and Mahura being by report in posses- 

 sion of some, which he had lifted from the Bawangketse, 

 I told him that if he would bring them up I would give 

 him a good price for them. He said that he had cattle 

 with large horns, and that he would send to one of 

 his outposts for two oxen which would frighten me to 

 look at. 



la the evening the cattle came; these were two im- 



