178 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXI. 



were indulging in luxuriant pasture. These were 

 tended by armed herdsmen, and we were at first 

 surprised to observe the oxen leave their grazing, 

 and flock around our waggons as they proceeded, 

 snorting and exhibiting signs of pleasure, as though 

 in recognition of objects with which they were 

 familiar. The appearance shortly afterwards of 

 several hundred Matabili warriors in their war 

 costume explained the riddle, and we knew that 

 these must be some of the cattle taken from the 

 unfortunate emigrants. Shortly before this, Mo- 

 hanycom, our guide, had left the waggons, and 

 proceeded to a kraal at some distance, for the pur- 

 pose of communicating to 'Lingap, the subordinate 

 captain of whom I have before spoken, and who 

 resided there, the king's orders that he should 

 attach himself to our suite. The consequence of 

 this ill-judged proceeding was, that we were de- 

 prived of his services at the very moment when they 

 were most required. The warriors not perceiving 

 any of their own tribe with our party, and having 

 had their hands so lately imbrued with the blood 

 of white men, could think of nothing but war and 

 plunder. Suspecting, or rather hoping, that we 

 had found means to enter the country without the 

 king's knowledge, they closed round the waggons 

 with every demonstration of hostilit}'', accosting 

 us with insolence, and peremptorily commanding 

 the drivers to halt ; several at the same time placing 

 themselves in front to obstruct the passage. The 

 Hottentots looked aghast, and Coeur de Lion, in a 



