Chap. XXXVI.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 319 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 



NIGHT ATTACK ON THE MARAUDERS. 



I WAS Still broad awake, conjecturing the success 

 of our projected commando, when the watchful 

 valet thrust his well-furnished chin under the 

 canvas curtains of the waggon, and in a tremulous 

 voice proclaimed the midnight hour. A dram of 

 spirits having been issued to each Hottentot knight, 

 with the design of inspiring chivalrous sentiments, 

 the skeleton steeds were silently saddled ; and not 

 a word having been spoken above a whisper, we 

 commenced our march towards the enemy's position. 

 The night was cold and clear, and withal gloriously 

 starlight ;' and it was in tiiith a goodly sight to 

 behold the motley band of gay cavaliers, girded 

 about with their furniture of war, and carrying 

 their heavy carbines on their shoulders, jauntily 

 pricking over the plain. The distance of the Bush- 

 man castle not being less than eighteen miles, it was 

 necessary, in order to arrive in proper time, that we 

 should move as briskly as possible. Ever and anon, 

 as we cantered blindly along, in momentary ap- 

 prehension of losing each other, some one of the 

 party was to be seen floundering among the meerkat 

 burrows, with which the soil was completely un- 

 dermined. Herds of timid spring-bucks, upon whose 



