118 UMAP'S JUDGMENT. [chap. iv. 



were accused of charmiiig away liis life. Umap, there- 

 fore, had a pit dug, about five feet across, and seven or 

 eight deep, and he made a bonfire in it ; then he took 

 the eight Bushmen and women, on whom his suspicion 

 had fallen, and put them down alive into this pit, 

 covered them over with hot earth, and made a second 

 fire above their grave. The incident occurred before I 

 landed at Walfisch Bay, but I had not had the story 

 corroborated till now. Umap is not considered other- 

 wise than as a very respectable Hottentot ; but he is 

 classed as one of the old school. 



I met Swartboy travelling in his waggon, and we had 

 a couple of hours' conversation, in which I was very 

 favourably impressed with him. He was a reasonable, 

 good-hearted, but rather timid old man. He promised 

 to use his influence, as far as he could, towards 

 furthering any arrangements which would lead to 

 peace in the country, and said he would meet the 

 other captains at Eikhams at the time appointed. I 

 was excessively annoyed to hear of the doings of the 

 man I had discarded as being a confirmed bad character. 

 He had been making an improper use of my name, 

 declaring that I had sent him on some special message; 

 and that unless he was well fed and taken care of, 

 I should come with a complete army of men, &c. &c. 

 He had frightened Swartboy's people iuto great civUity, 

 and then stole cattle from them, and drove them off, 

 while Swartboy's people dared not punish him. He 

 was said to be fifteen hours' off, and, though I had but 

 two days and three nights to spare, I was determined 

 to ride after and catch him if I could. I am for 



