10 CAFFER FAIR. 



mournful ejaculations over the relics of those gains 

 which had been acquired after so much fatigue and 

 peril. 



I expressed my surprise to an interpreter, that the 

 party should have so quietly submitted, without re- 

 monstrance, to the greedy demands of Gaika. He 

 shook his head with a significant smile, and showing 

 me his mutilated hand, replied, " I once ventured 

 to remonstrate with him myself, when he flew into a 

 rage, and would have thrust his assagai through my 

 body, had I not parried the javelin with my hand, 

 and luckily escaped with the loss of my thumb." 



The fair having terminated by sound of trumpet *, 

 according to the usual regulations, the Caffers began 

 immediately to disperse, and proceeding to a short 

 distance from the scene of their traffic, recrossed the 

 river at the customary fording-place, not a little in- 

 terest being excited at the dexterity with which they 

 severally sprang from one stepping-stone to another 

 over a rapid stream, whilst laughter was occasionally 

 provoked by the mishap of some less expert adven- 

 turer, whose unexpected ablution excited a loud 

 shout of mirth from such of his companions as had 

 safely reached the opposite bank. 



My own departure from Fort Wiltshire into Caf- 

 ferland took place in the course of the following day, 

 in company with a young Englishman named Thack- 



* The annexed plate presents a sketch of Fort Wiltshire, from a 

 drawing taken on the spot during the fair. 



