24 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



of my narrative, I have entered into the ahove particu- 

 lars, that the reader may at the outset form an idea of 

 the manner in which these things are conducted. 



On making inquiries, I had the pleasure to find that, 

 contrary to my expectation, both Andrew Thompson 

 and Murphy were still in Grahamstown, where I had 

 left them about three months before., when I marched 

 thence into CaflFraria with my regiment ; and the lat- 

 ter, whom I found to be a confirmed tippler, was able 

 in his few lucid moments to give me much valuable in- 

 formation relative to the preparations which I required 

 to make in the way of purchasing oxen and wagons, 

 engaging servants, &c., &c. ; also various wrinkles as 

 to the conducting of my establishment, the hours of 

 marching, and the line of country which I had chalked 

 out for my first expedition. Poor Murphy ! he was as 

 kind-hearted a creature as ever breathed. 



From the 1st till the 22d of October I was actively 

 employed in making the necessary purchases and ar- 

 rangements for my coming expedition, and in forward- 

 ing my affairs, in which Murphy, during his sober in- 

 tervals, most willingly assisted me. As the reader will 

 observe, my establishment at my first outset was on a 

 much more limited scale than upon subsequent expe- 

 ditions. This was partly owing to the uncertainty 

 which I felt as to the success of my sporting under- 

 takings, and the length of time which I might feel in- 

 clined to devote to this line of life. I was much in the 

 dark as to what sport I might expect to realize, and 

 what difficulties I should have to encounter, in the trip 

 I was about to make ; the truth being that I could not 

 find a single individual, either among the natives or the 

 military, who could in the smallest degree enlighten 

 me on the subject. 



