402 
A SPECIMEN OF 
15, 16 July, 
sitting-room, they concluded that I was still really asleep, especially 
as I took the utmost care not to make the least noise, nor by any 
movement, to cause the waggon to shake. 
Having taken out as much of my beads and other goods, as I 
judged sufficient for the purpose, I sent for Mattlvi and his brother. 
They admired every thing, but the beads pleased them most. After 
they had satisfied their curiosity, they sent many others to look at 
them. 
Among these was Jdam, the Bachapin, whose singular history 
has been mentioned, who as soon as we were alone, made me the 
offer of eight oxen for the purchase of a gun. This of course, I 
rejected at once ; though I have little doubt that he would readily have 
given more. This price may, to a European, sound much above the 
value of the article for which it was proposed ; but in reality it was 
otherwise in this town : because, with only moderate success in hunt- 
ing, the owner would soon have repaid himself the quantity of meat 
which he had given for it; after which, supposing he, could obtain a 
supply of ammunition, it would always provide more ready means of 
support than the rearing of cattle, as long as the country abounded 
in game. The money which a gun at that time cost in Cape Town, 
if employed there in the purchase of beads, would at the usual rate 
of barter in these countries, have obtained that number of oxen. 
These statements will serve to illustrate Mattlvi's character as dis- 
played in the following affair. 
In the evening, at the time when all the numerous herds of the 
town return home from pasture, the Chief sent for me to come and 
sit with him in the circle of his brothers and attendant chieftains. 
Unsuspicious of his motive for desiring my presence, I immediately 
complied with his request ; but when I had taken my seat, I found 
that it was for the purpose of seeing the oxen which he intended to give 
me for the gun. This step appeared to be very premature, as it had 
been agreed that they were to receive the piece, only after my arrival 
at Klaarwater, and I had no expectation that any further transaction 
was to take place till then. But I now concluded that their object 
was to bind me more surely to the performance of my promise, by 
