200 EXPEDITION INTO 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 



NIGHT ATTACK ON THE MARAUDERS. 



I WAS still broad awake^ coiijecturing" the success of our 

 projected commando, when the watchful valet thrust his 

 well-furnished chin under the canvas curtains of the wag-g-on, 

 and in a tremulous voice proclaimed the midnig^ht hour. A 

 dram of spirits having" been issued to each Hottentot knig-ht 

 with the design of inspiring* chivalrous sentiments, the skele- 

 ton steeds were silently saddled ; and not a word having* been 

 spoken above a whisper, we commenced our march towards 

 the enemy's position. The night was cold and clear, and 

 withal gloriously starlight ; and it was in truth a goodly 

 sight to behold the motley band of gay cavaliers, girded 

 about with their furniture of war, and carrying their heavy 

 carbines on their shoulders, jauntily pricking over the plain. 

 The distance of the Bushman castle not being' less than 

 eighteen miles it was necessary, in order to arrive in proper 

 time, that we should move as briskly as possible. Ever and 

 anon, as we cantered blindly along, in momentary appre- 

 hension of losing each other, some one of the party was to 

 be seen floundering among the meerkat burrows, with which 

 the soil was completely undermined. Herds of timid spring- 

 bucks, upon whose repose we had unceremoniously obtruded, 

 bounded, panic-stricken, across our path ', and spectral gnoos, 

 cantering inquisitively up at intervals, stood within pistol- 

 shot, whisking their streaming* tails, and bellowing defiance. 

 After three hours' journeying, we arrived on the bank of a 



