404 
SERIOUS DISPUTE. — ALARMING APPEARANCES. 
16 JuLY) 
On my objecting therefore to the four oxen, as being but half 
its value, they replied that they had learnt from the people of Klaar- 
water that a musket might be purchased in the Colony for that price. 
They appeared however resolved to have it on their own terms ; and 
there is little doubt that they were emboldened to act in this manner, 
by observing the symptoms of fear which the looks and behaviour 
of my own men, had, from the first hour of our arrival, but more 
especially during these transactions, too visibly betrayed. 
Mattivi and his chieftains now appeared in serious debate ; 
while I sat in the midst of them, totally ignorant of what resolutions 
they were forming. At this moment Speelman, Philip, and Gert, 
came, and in great trepidation, begged me to leave the circle. I saw 
so much alarm in their countenances, that I was led to suppose that 
they had overheard the council proposing violent measures ; and 
I therefore rose and walked with them to the waggon. They 
entreated me to give up the point in dispute, as they saw clearly, 
they said, that it was bringing us into danger. Muchunka and Adam 
strongly advised that I should not reject what was offered, but rather 
let them have the gun at any price, as it was to be feared that other- 
wise bad consequences might ensue. 
Whether this advice was well-founded or not, I had no time for 
examining ; but as I perceived at this instant, reason for believing that 
my men would desert me if I increased their alarm by pushing the 
affair farther, I desired the interpreter to tell the assembly that 
although I considered the gun as worth much more than the price 
at which they had rated it, yet, as I desired nothing so much as their 
friendship, I should dispute with them no longer on the subject. 
To this, moved, as I supposed, by the conciliatory manner in which 
I spoke, they replied that six oxen should be given. 
Immediately they all rose ; and Mattivi then said, he should 
wish to see the gun fired off. This was a request which I could find 
no pretext for refusing, although I saw too clearly that all these 
transactions were tending towards a point which I was endeavouring 
to avoid ; that of getting it into their possession before the time 
which had been agreed on. 
