SOUTHERN AFRICA.' 203 



culty ; but oiu' g-uides^ who had evidently received instruc- 

 tions from the king- to entice us as far as possible from the 

 scene of contention with the emigrant boors^ in the hope of 

 eventualh^ inducing- us to return by Kapain^ instead of by 

 the Likwa^ being* now apprized of our intention of discon- 

 tinuing- our journey north ward, broug'ht seven savag-es who 

 volunteered information regarding- the great inland lahe, and 

 even proposed^ for a suitable remuneration in beads^ to 

 accompany us thither as guides. They stated that this vast 

 fresh-water sea, towards the disco verj' of which, g-eog-raphical 

 attention has long- been directed, and the existence of which 

 was first fully established by Dr. Smith's expedition, mig-ht 

 easily be reached from our present position in tn-o moons, 

 through the country of the Bukaws ; a small intervening- 

 desert tract being" passable at this season, the recent heavy 

 rains having- filled the pools upon which the supply of water 

 depends. Nothing- could be more tantalising- than this 

 proposal, made at a time when our oxen were in such superb 

 condition, our supplies abund-ant, and our followers in better 

 heart than usual ; but knowing" from experience how little 

 reliance can be placed upon a savag"e's estimate of distance, 

 we were not without reasonable apprehensions of being- 

 detained beyond the Bukaws until after next rains, and thus 

 exceeding our leave. All circumstances but this, conspiring- 

 to favour both the successful continuance of our journey, and 

 the discovery of the "great water," — it was with feelings of 

 no ordinary regret and disappointment, that we felt ourselves 

 thus compelled to return, at the very moment when a prize 

 of such value appeared actually within our grasp. 



Although not more than fifty miles to the south of the 

 tropic of Capricorn, we did not find the heat by any means 

 oppressive ] a circumstance which was of course in a great 

 measure to be attributed to the prevalence of rain. After the 

 thunder-storm which usually ushered in the night, the mor- 



