202 
TWO OXEN BORROWED FROM KAABI. 
15 May, 
in want of pack-oxen to transport their mats and the other materials 
of their huts ; for, among the stolen cattle, were none which could 
be of use to them in this service. There was one grey-headed old 
man, whose fears, and even displeasure, were much excited by the 
sight of my new men : he strongly opposed Kaabi, who as strongly 
insisted on lending me the oxen ; but the old man's opinion, that 
they could not be spared on account of their being obliged to remove 
immediately, coinciding with that of some other principal persons, 
the debate terminated in Kaabi's tellino; me that he could lend me 
only one, and which was his own. At one time the dispute between 
the chief and old Gryskop (Greyhead), as my Hottentots named 
him, was very vehement, as he appeared quite averse from affording 
us any accommodation at all. His wife, however, interfering and re- 
presenting how wrong and imprudent it would be, to have any 
quarrel with us, he at last was pacified, and consented that a second 
ox should be lent me, as I complained to Kaabi of the unkindness in 
not giving me assistance when they saw that the backs of my oxen, 
and even of the horses, were so much galled that I should not be 
able, without the greatest difficulty, to reach the Gariep with the 
whole of our baggage. 
For the use of these two oxen, I promised not only that he 
should be paid in tobacco, but that they should bring him back a great 
portion of the game which we might happen to shoot on the road : 
and it was therefore agreed that three of his people should accompany 
us for the purpose of driving them home. 
At eleven o'clock I took my leave of Kaabi, and departed from 
his kraal, with strong impressions of his friendly good-will towards 
me personally, and of his naturally mild and kind disposition. I 
have given the character of him and his countrymen, with the most 
conscientious impartiality. I have exposed all the objectionable part 
of it, which came to my knowledge ; and if I have given a pre- 
ponderancy to the better and more pleasing, it is because that part 
appeared really to preponderate. Their robberies of cattle from the 
Colony, are committed under the influence of what has now, 
