SOUTHERN AFRICA. ^25 
previous stipulation with the commandant, that the utmost 
extent of hostihties against these miserable savages should be 
that of surrounding one of their kraals ; that after this had 
been done we should act only on the defensive; and he was 
enjoined to communicate to his party the most serious charge 
not to fire a single shot unless it should be found absolutely 
necessary for their own personal security ; for that the sole 
object of our journey was to bring about, if possible, a con- 
versation with some of the chiefs of this people. On these 
conditions, a party consisting of six boors, and as many Hot- 
tentots, were ordered out after sun-set, to reconnoitre, with 
instructions to examine well if any fires should appear on any 
of the hills by night ; to watch well, from some concealed 
spot, the plains by day ; and to make a circuit from east to 
north, not exceeding thirty miles from the present encamp- 
ment. If nothing should appear before the expiration of the 
third day, they were then to join us again at a certain spot 
upon the banks of the river, to the northward. 
The following morning, at day-break, one of the scouting 
party, attended by a Hottentot, returned with intelligence 
that they had discovered from a high hill several fires at the 
bottom of a narrow defile about twenty miles to the eastward. 
In consequence of this information we remained still at our 
encampment the whole day, and at night proceeded towards 
the place where the fires had been seen. Previous to this 
movement the boors thought it right to prepare themselves 
for the enterprise by singing three or four hymns out of 
William Sluiter, and drinking each a sopie or glass of Cape 
brandy. 
