500 
MORUNA'S RETURN. —UPROAR AND LAMENTATIONS. 
2 Aug. 
their hands out of our pot. But finding that we did not die, as 
they expected we should, the argument between hunger, or rather 
gluttony, and superstition, turned in favor of the former ; and even 
the fear of death, was vanquished by the love of eating, 
2nd. This day also passed without any occurrence deserving of 
notice ; but in the evening, about eight o'clock, the town was suddenly 
thrown into the utmost alarm and consternation. Moruna, the 
Bichuana who, it has been mentioned, had set out a few days before, 
on a journey into the country of the Karrikarries, unexpectedly re- 
turned to Litakun in great haste, and spread terror among the in- 
habitants, by crying out, as he ran along, that a strong body of 
Batammakas were in the land. When he had reached the distance of 
a days-journey from the town, he fell in with their track to the west- 
ward, and as it appeared to take a southward direction, he instantly 
turned his steps back again, and travelled with the greatest possible 
expedition, to give the Bachapins timely notice of the danger which 
threatened their cattle-stations, and to warn them to remove im- 
mediately all their herds out of the line of march which the invaders 
seemed to be pursuing. 
At this time MattTvi happened to be sitting by our fire in the 
hut, and, as usual, amusing himself in smoking and occasionally in 
conversing with the Hottentots and with those of his friends and 
attendants who were accustomed to join our evening parties. Before 
Moruna arrived at our mootsi, the noise and confusion which his 
intelligence caused in the more distant parts of the town, were 
distinguishable. The Chief listened attentively for some minutes, 
and as soon as he caught a few expressions which led him to suspect 
the occasion of them, he started hastily up from his seat, without 
saying a word, and we saw him no more that night. 
The uproar and clamor soon became general, and confusion 
reigned in every quarter. The vociferations of the men denouncing 
vengeance against the invaders, and the cries and lamentations of 
the women, filled the air and reached the ear in every direction. 
Amid these tumultuous sounds, the violent howling of some of the 
women, was heard above the rest, and impressed the mind with 
