244 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



At evening next day we arrived at the chief village 

 of a tribe of Kaffirs called Kaminyani. They have been 

 resident here only about a quarter of a century, and are 

 established on ground belonging to old King Sechelle, 

 the man after Dr. Livingstone's own heart. For the 

 privilege of settling here they have annually paid a 

 royalty ; but they have waxed fat, obtained immense 

 herds of cattle, and become bumptious, and refused 

 longer to acknowledge their suzerain. The consequence 

 is that an immediate war is apprehended, and the neigh- 

 bourhood is much disturbed, and reputed as very unsafe 

 for travellers. 



The stronghold of the Kaminyani is on a coppy, or 

 hill, about eight hundred feet high, and, probably a 

 mile and a half in circumference at the base. Although 

 it is an immense jumble of rocks, the inhabitants have 

 managed to construct their huts in regular tiers up to 

 the summit, on which stands their chief's residence. 

 A river runs round two sides of the base, but a 

 spring is reported to exist higher up among the rocks. 

 Unless such were the case they could be beleaguered by 

 a force such as Sechelle could easily send, and in a few 

 days be compelled to surrender at discretion. Another 

 thing, in case of war, what are these people going to do 

 with their cattle ? They could not take them up on the 

 coppy, for it is almost destitute of vegetation. My 

 opinion is that they had better reconsider their decision 

 before they risk hostilities with so powerful a chief. 



Next day we traversed velt covered with thorn- 

 bushes and scattered trees ; saw a few antelope and a 

 large troop of quagga. I lost my way in the evening, 

 but two hours after dark, to my great surprise, and, I 

 may add, joy, came across a trader's wagon outspanned. 



