352 
SELFISHNESS. — HALTING AT LOBUTSANL 
12, 13 July, 
but as I conceived it would be more convenient to arrive there as early 
in the day as possible, so that there might be sufficient time to have 
an interview with the Chief, and make some arrangements before the 
night came on, I determined to advance this day no nearer than the 
last water on this side of the town. 
When we had travelled two miles, we halted for a few minutes 
to fill the water-casks at a shallow pond of clear water surrounded by 
acacias, a fountain similar to Sikkloniani ; having been told that the 
spring at which we were to unyoke was slightly brackish, yet not 
unwholesome. At the distance of a mile beyond this, we came to 
another similar pond ; and, as I depended upon Muclumka, who was 
well acquainted with the country, and assured me that this was the 
only water until we reached Litakun, I halted here for the night, 
though we had not proceeded more than three miles. But on the 
following day I discovered that we might have advanced six miles 
farther, as this would have brought us to a plentiful rivulet of 
excellent water, within four miles of the town. 
AVhat this man's reason mi^ht be for wisliino; me to halt at this 
place instead of going forward, as 1 should have done, to the rivulet, 
I never could learn ; nor why, after leaving Little Klibbolikhonni, he 
led me in a northerly direction down the Kruman river, when he 
knew that the direct and usual course would have taken us to the 
source of it, at the Klibbolikhonni Spring, in the bearing of north- 
east. Yet, that it was some selfish motive, I have no doubt ; al- 
though my suspicions as to his want of fidelity were not awakened 
at this time. It is to be feared that every traveller who shall spend 
among these African tribes time enough to learn their true character, 
will find, to his trouble and vexation, that the only principle by which 
they are guided is selfishness ; or rather, that they have not the fixed 
inflexible principle of honor to restrain them from swerving from the 
path of rectitude. ' 
The place at which we had halted was called Lobutsdnif if my 
interpreter's word can be relied on. The air was now, as it had been 
during the whole day, extremely cold j its chilling effect being increased 
