SOUTHERN AFRICA. 113 



CHAPTER XYII. 



EESIDE>'CE AT KAPAIN, CONTINUED. 



A DESIRE to see something* of the king*'s domestic economy 

 induced us repeatedly to ask permission to visit liim^ but he 

 invariably replied that he had no place in which to receive 

 US; and indeed he passed the greater part of his time in 

 lounging* on our beds or in the tent. To-day^ 2oth October, 

 he was in unusual spirits, in consequence of the success of 

 his arms ao-ainst the emio*rants. AVe affected to be alarmed 

 at the possibility of an attack from Ding-aan whilst hunting- 

 elephants to the eastward, but he ridiculed the idea, adding* 

 bitterly, that Dingaan was a cowardly rascal and not fit to 

 live. AVe had observed him for some minutes plucking* 

 blades of g*rass from below his chau-, apparent^ lost in 

 thought, and at times scanning* oui* countenances with gTeat 

 earnestness, when all of a sudden he exclaimed that he 

 wanted our tent. This was the very opportunity we had 

 been looking* for ', we had foreseen that he would become 

 enamoured of it ; and had determined to make it the 

 stepping'-stone to the attainment of our wishes. With 

 affected indifference we accordingly repHed, that if he had 

 determined that we should return by the circuitous route of 

 Ivuruman, we could not dispense with the accommodation 

 the tent afforded j but that if we could proceed by the Vaal 

 River, it should be sent to him as soon as the hunting* was 

 over. The high road to his heart was gained ; his eyes 

 twinkled, and after a moment's hesitation he said that he 



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