APPENDIX. 281 
16th.—These last six weeks we have suffered much 
from want of water, not only for our cattle, but for our own 
drinking. Every endeavour has been used to find water by 
digging, but in vain. The natives now are unanimous in 
stating that the Dangwana is only a periodical rivulet, 
running in the wet season from about September to April, 
but at other times dry. The station was fixed here at the 
request of Faku, who would hear of no other place, and on 
his positive assurance that there was plenty of water all the 
year round. This caused us to overlook the badness of the 
road, and the distance and difficulty of procuring timber for 
building; but without a regular supply of water, it is impos- 
sible to go on with substantial buildings, or to live with any 
health or comfort. To-day we have endeavoured to look 
out a place, near at hand, more suitable for a station than 
the present site, upon which we may with confidence com- 
mence the erection of permanent buildings. We have found 
an eligible place at the first Umgazi River, about two miles 
ina direct line nearer the colony. The Umgazi being a 
large river, is never dry ; and by removing here, we avoid 
at least one day’s journey with a loaded waggon, owing to 
the dangerous and difficult read from the Umgazi to the 
Dangwana. 
17th.—Itimerated down the first Umgazi, which is very 
thickly peopled. The people, as usual, behaved well; but 
I fear there was more of politeness than sincerity in their 
assurances of their anxiety to see me again, as the speakers 
generally added—“ We shall soon come and ask you for a 
present.” The land is full of lying wonders: pumpkins have 
been heard to speak; a cloud has carried away some oxen; 
and a voice from the clouds has reproached the hearers for 
attending to “ meester men of no skill, instead of applying to 
men of acknowledged ability.” This is said to have taken 
