354 EXPEDITION INTO [Ch.^f. XL. 



CHAPTER XL. 



EMIGRATION OF THE BORDER COLONISTS, 

 CONCLUDED. 



Almost immediately after this disastrous occur- 

 rence, being rejoined by the parties that had pro- 

 ceeded to explore the north-east country, the mi- 

 gratory farmers fell back about four days' journey 

 from their first position to the south side of the Vaal 

 river; and encamped near the embouchure of the 

 Donkin — one of its principal tributaries, called by 

 the natives the Nama-Hari. Here they remained in 

 blind and fancied security, without taking any steps 

 towards an amicable understanding with the king, 

 until the end of October. They had scarcely re- 

 covered from the confusion into which they had been 

 thrown by the first attack, when, to their great 

 consternation, they received intimation of the near 

 approach of another and far more formidable body 

 of Moselekatse's warriors. Retreat being impos- 

 sible, they sedulously applied themselves to fortifying 

 their position. They drew up their fifty waggons 

 in a compact circle, closing the apertures between 

 and beneath them with thorn-bushes, which they 

 firmly lashed with leathern thongs to the wheels . 

 and dissel- booms ;* and constructing within the 

 enclosure so formed, a smaller one for the protec- 

 * Waggon-poles. 



