288 THEY CROSS THE LA KOOLA. 



them a handsome invitation, and a present of sugar, 

 coffee, and biscuits. Their envoy not returning ac- 

 cording to their " anxious expectation," on the morn- 

 ing of the 23rd, they proceeded along shore to within 

 sight of " the long-wished-for haven," where they 

 slept. The next morning he made his appearance 

 with his missive, and excuse, that nothing could 

 induce him to go on hoard a Portuguese vessel, as 

 he knew he should be trepanned into slavery. 



On the 24th of March, 1829, the Governor's boat 

 transported them across the La Koola, or English 

 River, after they had waded through a mile of reedy 

 marsh. At this interesting and critical point their 

 notes conclude. The tone of their diary changes 

 very considerably at the top oftheBambo hills. Mr. 

 Green's horse there died, and he thanks God that 

 this circumstance does not depress his spirits, as he 

 feels himself able to walk better than he had done 

 for some time preceding. They likewise state the 

 nature of the precautions they intend to adopt to 

 prevent fever, viz. — never to travel fasting, nor to 

 sleep in the open air, and to smoke as much as pos- 

 sible ; but one of these they could not accomplish, 

 the huts being infested by " worms" and musquitos. 

 From this period they frequently complain of ex- 

 haustion and melancholy, and an ardent desire to 

 reach their long-expected destination. 



The remainder of the story is from the Hottentot 

 interpreter whom they procured at Natal. He re- 



