122 EXPEDITION INTO 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



DEPARTURE FROM KAPAIN^ AND ARRIVAL AT THE 

 MARIQUA RIVER. 



We had been some time ready to depart on the morning* 

 of the 2(3th October, ere the king- made his appearance. 

 This he at leng-th did, hmping-, and attended by the whole 

 of his court. Andries, ever ready to create mischief, lost 

 no time in spreading* a report that he had overheard the 

 discussions at a council held the preceding* evening*, when 

 it had been determined to revoke the permission granted 

 us to depart by the Vaal River — a measure to which the 

 ministers were very averse. The chairs having* been put 

 away in the waggons, we conducted the king* to his old 

 seat on Richardson's bed. In the act of ascending* to 

 this post of honour, having* to climb over the chest which 

 contained my wardrobe, he opened it eag*erly, and darting* 

 his hand into the medley, triumphantly clawed up a pair 

 of thick shooting* shoes, which, unfortunately fitting* him 

 exactly, I was compelled to make a sacrifice of, at the risk 

 of returning* bare-footed to the colony. He now stated 

 for our information, that his lameness had been occasioned 

 by the tig*htness of the shoes he had taken the preceding* 

 day, and obstinately worn until they had raised larg*e blis- 

 ters on the royal heels. Having* desired an attendant to 

 advance with a very handsome weasel-skin cloak, which 

 I had seen him wearing* the day before in the kraal, he 

 invested me with the greasy robe, saying* that I looked 



