320 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXXVI. 



repose we had unceremoniously obtruded, bounded, 

 panic-stricken, across our path ; and spectral gnoos, 

 cantering inquisitively up at intervals, stood within 

 pistol shot, whisking their streaming tails, and 

 bellowing defiance. After three hours' journeying, 

 we arrived on the bank of a narrow stream, com- 

 pletely choked with bulrushes and tangled sedge ; 

 shortly after forcing our way through which, with 

 incredible difficulty and many casualties, we des- 

 cried the Lilliputian fortress rising before us in dim 

 perspective. There being yet no glimmering of 

 dawn, we halted for a few minutes behind a group of 

 rocks to reconnoitre ; and a council of war being 

 held, it was decided that we should ascend the hill 

 on the opposite side, and having carried the enemy's 

 position in reverse, by a coup de main, should shoot 

 all who made any show of resistance. Dismounting, 

 therefore, and leading our steeds, we noiselessly 

 groped our way among crags and brushwood to the 

 summit of the hill, wliich, although rather abrupt 

 in front, was spread out into undulations behind. 

 Here the horses, having been fastened together by 

 the bridles, were left in charge of one of the Hot- 

 tentots — the rest, with us, creeping on all-fours 

 towards the table-land occupied by the enemy, of 

 whose increasing proximity our noses began now to 

 apprize us. Cautiously peeping with uncovered 

 heads over a natural parapet, we could presently 

 perceive their fires burning about two hundred yards 

 in advance; and thus securely ambushed, scarcely 

 daring even to breathe, we awaited the approach of 



