Chap. XXXI.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 271 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



DESERTION OF OUR ESCORT, AND ARRIVAL AT 

 THE RIVER VAAL. 



Awaking as the bright morning star shot above 

 the eastern horizon, I perceived four elands standing 

 within a few yards of the camp, undetected by the 

 vigilance of the sentinels, whose eyes nevertheless 

 were wide open. Directions for yoking the oxen 

 were no sooner given, than the guides commenced 

 packing their goods and chattels, and otherwise 

 preparing for their return to the king. Seeing the 

 impossibility of inducing them to accompany us 

 farther on our journey, and apprehensive of their 

 resentment if the rewards were withheld, we made 

 a merit of necessity, and attempted to restore them 

 to good humour, by presenting each in his turn with 

 a red woollen night-cap, and a complete suit of 

 European clothing, together with some beads which 

 had been expressly reserved for their use. The 

 only remaining coil of brass wire was likewise 

 handed over, with a box of lucifers and a few mould 

 candles, as a farewell offering to his Majesty, to 

 whom we desired a complimentary message, ex- 

 pressive of our regret at having been deprived of 

 the means of sending him the gun from the Vaal 

 River. Hereupon, spurning the proferred treasures 



