IMPORTUNATE VISITERS. 163 



During our halt here a party of natives swam 

 across the river, who proceeded at once towards our 

 waggon ; but on learning from the Hottentot servants 

 that I was not a trader, they appeared very much 

 disappointed, and came in search of me to the river- 

 side, whither I had retreated, from the oppressive 

 heat, under the umbrageous shade of some tall wil- 

 low trees. These persons were likewise very anxious 

 that we should remain until the water subsided, and 

 urged us to visit their village, saying they had great 

 quantities of cattle, and would be glad to exchange 

 them for guns, powder, and shot, being, if possible, 

 more urgent than our visiters of the preceding day. 

 They told me that they were also on the point of start- 

 ing on an expedition to the interior to shoot sea-cows 

 and elephants. After staying some time and per- 

 ceiving that I was inexorable, they became very im- 

 portunate for a soupee, but finding that I was deter- 

 mined not to comply with any of their wishes, they 

 left me apparently very much dissatisfied with the 

 interview. They were an ill-looking, ruffianly set 

 of fellows, and were in all probability connected with 

 the party which not long afterwards attacked and 

 plundered the Zoolah chief, Matacatzee. 



The waters of the river now appeared to have 

 somewhat abated, and we still prolonged our stay in 

 the hope that an opportunity of crossing might soon 

 be afforded. In several places we could perceive the 

 black, rocky bed, from which the stream had receded, 



M 2 



