Chap. XXIX.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 



151 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



INTERVIEW WITH UM'NOMBATE, AND JOURNEY 



THROUGH THE CASHAN MOUNTAINS TO 



THE SOUTH-EASTWARD. 



Contrary to our expectations, Um'Nombate was 

 actually descried at an early hour the next morning 

 approaching our waggons with a large retinue and 

 three wretched oxen. The important preliminary 

 of snuff-taking having been duly concluded, the 

 crafty old courtier, without making the slightest 

 allusion to the object of his visit, delivered abundant 

 compliments on the part of his Majesty, regarding 

 whose august health we made befitting inquiries. 

 The table having, in the mean time^ been spread 

 with dainty viands, amongst the most inviting of 

 which I may be permitted to notice a pile of rhi- 

 noceros' steaks, we proceeded to breakfast, and were 

 not a little diverted by the grand vizier's uncouth 

 attempts at the use of the knife and fork. Copying 

 the polished example set by Mrs. John Smith, of 

 Somerset, he presently cut the corner of his mouth, 

 repeatedly placing his sight in imminent jeopardy 

 by bringing his hand to the bleeding orifice instead 

 of the point of the fork, which, loaded with meat, 

 appeared above his head. His son, a fine young 

 savage, to whom we were formally introduced, sat 



