Chap. XXXIX.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 3.53 



body, and fallen upon nine other waggons that were 

 assembled at a distance from the principal camp. 

 The waggons were saved, but the greater part of the 

 flocks and herds were carried off, and twenty-four 

 persons massacred — viz., Barend Liebenberg, sen. 

 Stephanus, Hendrick, and Barend Liebenberg, jun. 

 Johannes de Toit, an English schoolmaster named 

 M'Donald, Mrs. H. Liebenberg, Mrs. de Toit, four 

 children, and twelve black servants. 



Six days after this catastrophe, Erasmus's curi- 

 osity prompted him to ascertain the fate ^f his 

 family and property. Proceeding to the spot, he 

 found the bodies of his five black slaves, and could 

 distinguish the wheel-tracks of his five waggons 

 going in a northerly direction. Two of his sons, 

 and a youth named Carel Kruger, had been taken 

 prisoners, and it was afterwards ascertained, that 

 having attempted to effect their escape, they were 

 mercilessly put to death on their way to the king. 



