502 
KEEPING GUARD DURING THE NIGHT. 
2, 3 Aug. 
inspire my people with confidence in our own strength and resources, 
and to convince them that the most certain way to escape from 
danger, was by keeping their minds cool and free from agitation. 
This, I assured them, would give our little party the advantage over 
superior numbers, should the enemy really have it in view to attack 
the waggons ; which, however, I did not believe to be their object, 
so much as the cattle of the Bachapins. I desired them, whatever 
might happen, not for a moment to entertain the idea of separating 
from each other and seeking safety in flight, which would infallibly 
lead to the utter destruction of us all : but to stand together in a body 
round the waggons ; in which position, we could defend ourselves 
longer than in any other, as we should then secure a constant supply 
of ammunition. 
With this view I placed a large quantity of cartridges in a secret 
part of my own waggon, and privately informed my Hottentots 
where they would find them, should any sudden attack, of which 
however I had not much expectation, be made, either on the 
Bachapins or on ourselves. 
We kept watch during the whole night ; none of us feeling suf- 
ficiently assured of the peace of the town, to venture committing 
ourselves to sleep, till the approach of day-light or till we might 
safely dismiss the fear of any hostile attempt ; the first dawn of day 
being generally supposed to be, according to the practice of African 
warfare *, the moment most to be guarded against. That these hours 
might not pass as lost time, I continued to employ myself in the 
waggon in preparing, and in writing the descriptions of some birds 
which had been shot in the vicinity. 
The night passed without further alarm : the tumultuous feel- 
ings of the inhabitants and the lamentations of the women gradually 
subsided ; and all, at length, retired to their homes, leaving the 
mootsi entirely to ourselves and our usual Bachapin attendants. 
3rd. In the morning, affairs appeared to have resumed their 
usual course, and the natives began again to assemble in the public 
* See page 494'. of the first volume. 
