S94 EXrEDITION INTO 



CHAPTER XL. 



EMIGRATION OF THE BORDER COLONISTS, CONCLUDED. 



Almost immediately after this disastrous occurrence, being' 

 rejoined by the parties that had proceeded to explore the 

 north-east country, the mig-ratory farmers fell back about 

 four days' journey from their first position to the south side 

 of the Yaal river ; and encamped near the embouchure of 

 the Donkin — one of its principal tributaries, called by the 

 natives the Nama-Hari. Here they remained in blind and 

 fancied security, without taking- any steps towards an amica- 

 ble undertsanding- with the king, until the end of October. 

 They had scarcely recovered from the confusion into which 

 they had been thrown by the first attack, when, to their great 

 consternation, they received intimation of the near approach 

 of another and far more formidable body of Moselekatse's 

 warriors. Retreat being- impossible, they sedulously applied 

 themselves to fortifying* their position. They drew up their 

 fifty waggons in a compact circle, closing- the apertures 

 between and beneath them with thorn-bushes, which they 

 firmly lashed with leathern thongs to the w heels and dissel- 

 booms ;* and constructing- within the enclosure so formed, a 

 smaller one for the protection of the women and children. 

 These arrangements hastily completed, they rode forth to 

 confront the enemy, whom they presently met in number 

 about five thousand on their march towards the camp, when 

 some skirmishing- took place, in which several of the Matabili 



* Waggon-poles. 



