276 
CUPIDO KOK. 
22 June, 
this last opportunity, to relate a number of tales to impress my 
men with the belief that I only intended to lead them into danger. 
To these, and all similar accounts, they were too ready to listen; 
while their serious countenances visibly betrayed the doubts and 
fears with which their minds began to be agitated. This Cupido 
asserted many things which he could not himself have believed; 
for, after exaggerating the dangers which, he said, lay before us, heeven 
declared that all the black nations were much more afraid of bows 
and arrows, than of guns ; and that after advancing, and receiving our 
first fire without fear, they would immediately close upon us, and 
stab every one, before we could have time to load again. Thinking 
that my intention was to visit the Nudkketsiy or, as the Klaarwater 
people call them, the Wdnlcetzen *, he attempted to counteract this, 
by relating the old story about the murder of Dr. Cowan and his 
party, and adding to it all the artful fabrications which he had 
picked up from among the natives. He concluded by telling them 
that the Nuakketsies, having heard of our coming, had made many 
remarks on the folly of sending a mere handful of men against them, 
and had openly declared that they would kill every stranger who 
should in future venture into their country. In short, he declared 
that there was the greatest danger in going amongst those nations ; as 
they were all at this time, in a state of warfare and fighting one 
against the other. Fortunately he remained at the Kosi but three 
hours ; and then collecting his party together, he yoked the team to 
his waggon, and drove off without further ceremony. 
I was just beginning to rejoice that he was fairly gone and out 
of sight, when Gert delivered a message from him, that as it would 
be too far to send a man back, it was not his intention to do so ; that 
as I had thought proper to detain his gun as a pledge for the mould. 
* This is a corruption of the proper word both by the addition of the Dutch plural 
termination e7i, and by mistaking the true sound. At least, the manner in which I have 
written the name, is conformable to the only mode in which I heard it pronounced by the 
Bachapins. By not distinguishing the Dutch plural, some writers have set the English 
plural also upon its back, and the word Wanketzens has been formed in this manner. 
