Chap. XXXV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 317 



not blush to acknowledge that their personal fears 

 had induced them to decline the invitation. Neither 

 was it possible now to persuade them to turn back 

 with me ; the enemy, they declared, being so ex- 

 ceedingly numerous, and ensconced in so strong a 

 position, that nothing could be attempted with so 

 small a force. 



Here then, like sailors who have foundered upon 

 a rock when within sight of their destined haven, 

 were we — after weathering many a storm, and ac- 

 complishing the most hazardous portion of our 

 journey — left at last, a wreck in the desert. The 

 spirit of Ethaldur groaned within him, when he 

 thus saw his prediction on the eve of being verified, 

 and the lower jaw of Cceur de Lion dropped until 

 his beard was dangling at his girdle. To add to 

 h/'s misfortunes, the scanty pool upon which our 

 supply of water depended, being drained to the 

 dregs, it had become necessary to perform a journey 

 of six miles over an enemy's country, in order to 

 replenish the tea-kettle. 



The vindictive and improvident character of the 

 Bushman hordes, rendered it extremely probable 

 that the whole of our unfortunate oxen had already 

 been wantonly sacrificed to their malice ; but at all 

 events, the day was too far spent to admit of our 

 reaching the scene of action before dark, and the 

 night being moonless, it was necessary that our 

 attack should be delayed until the following morn- 

 ing. The hateful squaws had abandoned their 

 kraal the preceding day, and it was not unlikely 



