MURDEROUS ASSAULT. 277 



him that what he had overheard would, in his own 

 country, portend immediate peril. " I cannot tell, 

 Master," said he, " what it may mean here, but 

 among my own tribe I should know that mischief 

 was intended." Lieutenant Farewell, imputing these 

 feelings to his timidity, desired him to go back to his 

 hut, for he was well assured that Queto would not 

 injure or molest them. The interpreter on his re- 

 turn, finding still greater cause for alarm, advised 

 the Hottentots to have their guns in readiness to de- 

 fend themselves in case of an attack. A little before 

 dawn, a violent uproar suddenly broke out, and a 

 murderous assault commenced. A party, surround- 

 ing the hut of the Hottentots, vociferously com- 

 manded them to come forth. The interpreter urged 

 them to rally en masse, and make a vigorous resist- 

 ance, but their only reply was an entreaty that he 

 would beg the Gaffers to spare their lives. This he 

 said would be of no avail ; they must fight their way 

 through the assailants. One of the assassins now 

 made an attempt to enter, when Lynx levelled his 

 piece, and shot him dead ; and while the rest were in 

 the act of removing the body, he reloaded his gun, 

 and rushed forcibly through the group. A shower 

 of assagais fell around him, and he received several 

 wounds ; but turning, he again fired, and killed 

 another of the murderers. Even whilst pursued, he 

 contrived to charge his gun with a cartridge, and 

 shot a third. Further pursuit was now abandoned, 



