PROPOSAL. xni 



in the desert, towards which geographical atten- 

 tion has been so long directed, by the fear of ex- 

 ceeding the Hmits of my furlough from India. 



For reasons of his own, which will readily be 

 understood from a perusal of my narrative, it will 

 be seen that Moselekatse was particularly anxious 

 that I shoidd proceed to the northward, instead of 

 returning by the Vaal River ; and to that end volun- 

 teered me every assistance. My oxen were in the 

 finest condition, and the recent heavy rains having 

 filled the pools in the desert upon which my supply 

 of water must entirely have depended, it was with 

 no common feelings of disappointment and regret 

 that I found myself compelled to retrace my steps 

 at a moment when a prize of such value was ap- 

 parently within my grasp. 



Feeling an irresistible desire to extend my ac- 

 quaintance with Africa, and still further to assist 

 in filling up the chasm which is yet to be supplied 

 in her geography, and having already, upon my 

 private means, without- any previous experience in 

 African travelling, and at a most unfavourable con- 

 juncture, safely accomplished a long and perilous 



