TO DELAGOA. '283 



scribed as very populous : it is situated in a fertile 

 country about one hundred and twenty miles to the 

 north-east of Port Natal. The huts are built after 

 the manner of the CafFers Proper, but are cleaner, 

 and more commodiously fitted up within, Dingaan 

 is a very popular Chief, and showed great attention to 

 the party, sending them at different times twelve fat 

 slaughter-cattle. His power is nearly as great as that 

 of his late brother. 



" Cultivation is very extensively practised, and two 

 kinds of Impfie, or sugar-cane, are mentioned by the 

 travellers ; one as thick as the little finger, and the 

 other as the wrist : the latter is stated to be the 

 Saccharum officiarum, or true cane, and was found 

 all the way to Delagoa. Shortly after their arrival 

 at this place, a party of about forty bastard Portu- 

 guese visited the Zoulah Chief. One of them was 

 copper-coloured, and had straight hair. They wore 

 long chintz gowns tied at the waist. The object of 

 their coming down they stated to be want of food. 

 Their nation resided near the Portuguese Fort, and 

 had been despoiled by Chaka. They also communi- 

 cated the death of Mr. Mackay, captain of the 

 Buckbay packet, in the Mapoota River. From the 

 representations of these people, that it was o»nly five 

 days' journey to Delagoa^ Messrs Cowie and Green 

 now formed the resolution of penetrating to that 

 place ; and leaving the waggon they had brought 

 thus far and most of their suite, commenced their 



