Chap. XL.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 363 



jackal-like, into the Amazooioo territories from the 

 westward, and were actually in iull retreat with a 

 considerable booty in cattle, when they too were 

 overtaken by a party of the Matabili warriors, and 

 utterly destroyed. Thus badgered and worried on 

 all sides, the Lion of the North will not again be 

 found sleeping ; and granting that the superior 

 strength of the emigrants enables them eventually 

 to despise his opposition, their situation will still 

 be far from enviable. Shut out from Natal, as a 

 sea-port, by their remote location from the coast ; 

 and excluded from the advantages of Delagoa Bay 

 by the jealousy of the Portuguese, their supplies, 

 more especially of ammimition, must necessarily be 

 extremely limited. By an old colonial law, the 

 transit of gunpowder across the border is con- 

 traband, and by a late Act of Parliament, offences 

 committed within the 25th parallel of south latitude 

 have been rendered capitally cognizable. Their 

 horses must speedily perish by the epidemic already 

 desci'ibed, and. thus precluded from hunting they 

 will become solely dependent for support upon 

 domestic resources. Admitting that intestine dis- 

 sensions have not already caused a division, the 

 necessity of obtaining pasturage for their numerous 

 herds will shortly compel them to break up into 

 small parties ; and want of water, the curse of 

 unhappy Africa, will couple a similar contingency 

 with any attempt at cultivation. Thus situated, 

 the isolated, ammunitionless emigrant will fall an 

 easy prey to the lurking and predatory savage — 



