142 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XVII. 



monanti I tanta, tanta, tanta r and added, that al- 

 though he deplored ovir departure, yet trustworthy 

 guides should be provided to conduct us on our 

 journey early the following morning, pointing at the 

 same time to the eastern horizon. This bargain being 

 fully settled, his Majesty marched off in triumph, a 

 man before him carrying the box, containing thirty 

 pounds of blue and white beads. 



We were a little surprised at his having so readily 

 consented to part with us, and were half afraid he 

 might alter his mind before the morning. The de- 

 sire of obtaining immediate possession of the beads 

 without infringing appearances, had of course due 

 weight with him ; and there can be no doubt that 

 he felt considerable uneasiness at our presence, now 

 that the return of Kalipi's commando from the Vaal 

 River drew so near. His anxiety to get rid of our- 

 selves, therefore, overcame the reluctance he felt at 

 parting with the small remnant of our proj^erty 

 which had escaped his two successful forays. It 

 was the expected return of the commando, too, that 

 rendered him so anxious to send us to the Great 

 Lake, or indeed in any direction but that in which 

 we were bent on proceeding. We had every incli- 

 nation to avail ourselves of this most tempting offer, 

 but our leave from India being limited, it would have 

 been imprudent to have undertaken this journey, 

 which might have detained us beyond the Desert 

 until the next rainy season. And although every 

 other circumstance subsequently conspired to favour 

 the project, and. by smoothing the path, to render it 



