878 EXPEDITION INTO 



hills, la}^ extended before us, and, covered in every direction 

 with white Avag-g-on-tilts, canvas-palls, bell-tents, oxen, horses, 

 sheep, and human behig-s, literally presented the appearance 

 of the encampment of a g"oodly army. Having- obtained 

 permission from a Dutchman named Humans to unyoke in 

 an unoccupied spot, we ag-ain opened our negotie rvinkel ; 

 but, coming- from Moselekatse's countrj^ by the forbidden 

 route, every one appeared suspicious of our object, and 

 declined to barter their oxen. The next morning", however 

 (the 12th), being" on our journey some miles, we were over- 

 taken by a 3'outh with pack-horses, who came from the 

 emig-rant camp provided with moneys for the purchase of 

 leaden balls, of which munition, notwithstanding" the lavish 

 expenditure during" the campaig'n, we had still a plentiful 

 supply. 



Advancing', we passed several filthy kraals of Griquas, 

 under Dam Koh, a hybrid chieftain residing- at Phillipolis ; 

 and halting" for an hour atone of them, the fellows clamorously 

 demanded to see the portrait of their arch enemy, which they 

 understood from the Hottentots I had broug"ht. The Napo- 

 leon of Southern Africa having- been according-ly exhibited 

 at the end of the wag-g-on, they spit at, and offered him every 

 indignity — their captain a diabolical looking" ruffian, Avhose 

 head had been turned by " the schoolmaster" at his elbow, 

 log-ically inquiring", in reply to our remonstranceSj " whether 

 he had not as g-ood a rig"ht to put us to death for shooting" 

 ducks on his tank, without paying" for the same, as Mosele- 

 katse to destroy the Griquas who hunted zeckocs in the 

 Likwa ?" They at last became so exceeding-ly insolent and 

 overbearing-, that we were fiiin to decamp ; and Cobus and 

 April, AA ho had contrived to obtain some brand}^ from their 

 countrywomen, attempting- to desert at the same time, we 

 narrowly escaped adding- the whole of our horses to the 

 catalog'ue of our losses. 



