1812. 
SENSATIONS ON APPROACHING LITAKUN. 
353 
by a strong easterly wind ; the thermometer not having risen during 
the day higher than 58^°, (11'7 R.), and remaining all night at 43°, 
(4-8 R.)- 
13th. It was my intention to fix my residence at Litakim for 
some time, as the most favourable situation for studying the character 
of the people and observing their customs. An abode there of 
several weeks, would, I conceived, be highly advantageous in pre- 
paring me for the journey onwards, and would enable me to gain 
much more experience, and in much less time, than could be expected 
while travelling hastily through the other parts of the country, where 
we should, only occasionally, see a few straggling individuals ; if a 
judgement could be formed from the number which we had hitherto 
met. We should, by continuing to travel every day, soon reach, indeed, 
the farthest extremity of their country ; but it would be long before 
I had made myself acquainted with their manners and customs, or 
had acquired that practical knowledge and experience, which I deemed 
essential to my safety and success. It appeared, therefore, to be 
accordant to reason, that I should make myself tolerably well ac- 
quainted with one tribe or nation, before I proceeded to the next. 
At an earlier hour than usual, we began to yoke the oxen to the 
waggons ; and it seemed as if some new sensation was felt at our near 
approach to a large and populous town. I could evidently perceive 
that the thought of terminating this days-journey in a scene so 
different from all which we had hitherto beheld, roused in my people 
some strong feelings ; and though they were not apparently those of 
fear, yet I have little doubt from subsequent experience, that, had 
not Muchunka been with us to inspire the party with confidence in 
the peaceable disposition of his countrymen, I should have found 
great difficulty in persuading the whole of my men to advance 
another step beyond Lobutsani. 
This being the day for receiving their rations of brandy and 
tobacco, they requested to have them before we set out, as it was not 
likely that I should have leisure for giving them at the usual hour 
in the evening. With this wish I most readily complied ; not 
VOL. II. z z 
