Chap. XVIII-l SOUTHERN AFRICA. 147 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



DEPARTURE FROM KAPAIN, AND ARRIVAL AT 

 THE MARIQUA RIVER. 



We had been some time ready to depart on the 

 morning of the 26th October, ere the king made his 

 appearance. This he at length did, limping, and 

 attended by the whole of his court. Andries^ ever 

 ready to create mischief, lost no time in spreading a 

 report that he had overheard the discussions at a 

 council held the preceding evening, when it had 

 been determined to revoke the permission granted 

 us to depart by the Vaal River — a measure to 

 which ministers were very averse. The chairs 

 having been put away in the waggons, we conducted 

 the king to his old seat on Richardson's bed. In 

 the act of ascending to this post of honour, having 

 to climb over the chest which contained my ward- 

 robe, he opened it eagerly, and darting his hand 

 into the medley, triumphantly clawed up a pair of 

 thick shooting shoes, which, unfortunately fitting 

 him exactly, I was compelled to make a sacrifice 

 of, at the risk of returning bare-footed to the 

 colony. He now stated for our information, that 

 his lameness had been occasioned by the tightness 

 of the shoes he had taken the preceding day, and 

 obstinately worn until they had raised large blisters 



H2 



