136 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XVI. 



forget to make his tumerislio to the Parsee king, 

 inquiring if that potentate too had a black beard, 

 and M'ore a high turban — how many wives he had, 

 &c. He even paid Nesserwanjee the compliment 

 of desiring to inspect his pocket-knife, with six 

 blades, nippers, picker, and corkscrew, complete, 

 which, however, he forgot to return. We ever care- 

 fully abstained from making any allusion to the 

 capture of Erasmus's waggons, or to the military 

 proceedings against* the emigrant farmers. 



This morning messengers were seen running 

 breathless with haste to acquaint the king with the 

 success of Ka'lipi's attack. There was an unusual 

 stir in consequence, and warriors were continually 

 coming and going during the greater part of the 

 day. The king appeared in high glee, but we 

 carefully affected ignorance of all that was passing, 

 and were thus gradually seciu'ing his confidence in 

 the honourable nature of our intentions, regarding 

 which he had evidently been distrustful. In spite, 

 however, of all we could do, our Hottentots were 

 perpetually prying round the imperial kraal, and 

 putting impertinent questions to persons about the 

 waggons ; all which being scrupulously reported, had 

 an exceedingly mischievous tendency, and caused us 

 constant annoyance and anxiety. 



