332 EXf EmTioN INTO t^HAP. xxxvn. 



not a moment in opening a winkel, or shop — propos- 

 ing to exchange, for oxen, either tea, sugar, snuff, 

 meal, lead, or gunpowder. Bat although these arti- 

 cles were all in especial demand, we found it inripos- 

 sible to negociate by barter — that being a mode of 

 dealing which, strange to say, they appeared quite 

 unable to comprehend. After repeatedly shaking 

 the wheels of our admirable waggons, in order to 

 ascertain whether they " ran lightly," we received 

 many generous offers of shattered rickety vehicles, 

 with a few indifferent oxen, in exchange for them ; 

 but ultimately we found ourselves obliged to refer to 

 our treasury, which fortunately still containing two 

 liundred and fifty rix dollars, we were enabled to 

 purchase a few head of cattle to begin with — receiv- 

 ing back the cash in payment for our wares, and 

 again disbursing it for more oxen — until, having re- 

 alized the requisite number, we had still ten shillings 

 left in our pockets to carry us to Graaff Reinet. 



In the course of conversation at a tea-party given 

 to the ladies and gossips of the Dutch camp, we 

 learnt that they had left Colesberg three months be- 

 fore, and were on their way to join the emigrants, 

 who were assembled at the head of the Modder river, 

 near the Rev. Mr. ArchbelVs missionary station at 

 Thaba Uncha, lying about two days' journey east- 

 ward of the scene of our catastrophe. The men 

 spoke in the most contemptuous terms of Mosele- 

 katse, regarding whom, nevertheless, they were very 

 inquisitive ; informing us that they were awaiting the 

 return of a commando under Gert Maritz, our 



